A WORCESTER school persuades its pupils to want to attend and offers a few incentives along the way. Surprise, surprise, record results follow (Education Focus, Tuesday, September 28).

Congratulations. Someone appears to have re-discovered that old fashioned commodity called leadership.

Of course it is not merely a matter of offering raffle prizes to pupils. Teachers have to be inspired to want to do the best for their pupils. Initiative, enthusiasm and enjoyment have to be cultivated.

Compulsion, threats and penalties need to be minimised, the enterprising merely see these as a challenge to be exploited and evaded.

It is not just in education but across the complete spectrum that there needs to be a revival of real leadership. Any idiot can pass laws or make rules banning this or compelling that and raising revenue from the penalties.

True leadership involves setting an example and inspiring others to follow. Worcester has often led the way in the past and may well do so again. Congratulations, Chrissies.

JOHN HINTON, Worcester.