DEAR EDITOR -- As the parents of a pupil at North Bromsgrove High School we think we have some idea of the standards prevailing at the school and we can assure you that its recent OFSTED judgement does not accurately reflect the overall quality of teaching and care it provides.

We feel angry and distressed that North Bromsgrove High School has now got to be labelled as a poor school providing a poor standard of education.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Our experience of the school is that it has facilitated a quick and easy transition from middle to high school, maintained or improved academic standards and provided a rich extra curricular timetable in which pupils can flourish. The letters you have published about the production of Les Miserables testify to the strength of music and drama within the school.

We have read the full OFSTED report on the school. It would seem that the inspectors have avoided or ignored all of the excellent teaching and activities that go on there. Some of the conclusions drawn are based on seriously flawed methodology.

The summary report misrepresents the data the inspectors have collected, stating that the school provides a poor standard of education when the data does not support this claim.

Clearly the inspectors made a mistake about the amount of money owed by the school (Messenger 26/3/3, Governors slam report), we suggest they have also seriously misrepresented other aspects of North Bromsgrove High School.

We support the staff and governors at North Bromsgrove High School and thank them for continuing to work so hard and conscientiously after such a devastating shock. We would encourage the parents of prospective pupils to visit the school with an open mind. It provides a safe, happy and very rich environment for its pupils in which they can achieve their full potential.

Mr and Mrs Devey,

Holyoakes Lane,

Redditch.