Before I make some comments on the story regarding Malvern Link CE School and its supposed institutional racism, I should point that I am making these points as a private individual, albeit one who is an ex-governor of the school.

You quite rightly made the point in your editorial that no one from the school was prepared to comment. What you were not aware of is that anyone connected with the school was banned from making any comment by their superiors both professional and ecclesiastic. This made the reporting of this story a journalistic nightmare.

I note that you carried, immediately below the piece regarding the supposed institutionalised racism, an item reporting how the school had received an award. This displayed an inherent regard for fair play that does your paper immense credit.

Malvern Link CE School and its head Jennifer Potts and all the staff at the school have a justified reputation in Malvern Link for being a bastion of caring, good practice and tolerance.

If you want confirmation of this all you have to do is ask the overwhelming majority of parents.

I cannot in all conscience stand aside and watch both the school's and its head's good name, built up over many years, being shredded in this cavalier fashion when they are effectively gagged and cannot respond.

I would respectfully remind Julian Kramer, the county director of education, that he not only has a duty of care towards all the pupils in the county but to all the staff who teach them. To use inflammatory and emotive language such as "eradicate" does him no credit whatsoever. In future I respectfully suggest that he chooses his words with far greater care.

Clive Smith, Greenfields Road, Malvern Link.