PARENTS in St John's may be concerned by recent Press reports about bullying and truancy at Christopher Whitehead High School.

All should understand that on our present site these are ever-present potential problems.

In fact these are exciting times for Christopher Whitehead, with a real buzz about the school, and our best-ever GCSE results in prospect this summer. But we don't want to be good - we want to be excellent!

I ask you to imagine an athlete running a race. His running shoes are old and tatty, and he has a rucksack full of rocks on his back. He is having to work much harder than the others, but is well in the race, keeping up with all the rest.

Would you say "no need for any change"? Or would you release the athlete from these burdens, to shine?

It is similar with Christopher Whitehead school. The site presents a myriad of challenges that could lead to bullying, absenteeism, or unacceptable accommodation. Yet the energy of all the staff, and the money we spend on the site, mean that the problems are avoided and the school keeps up with its peers.

A new school will release us from the burdens we presently face, freeing our staff and our money not just to keep up, but to excel.

GRAHAM EVANS,

Chairman of Governors,

Christopher Whitehead High School.