I FELT I must write regarding the article which appeared in the December 27 issue of the Shuttle/Times & News, relating to the county council's decision to implement, or rather be "minded" to implement a two-tier education system in Hagley.

Let me say at the outset that I have always admired Councillor John Gordon - not his politics, which are deeply rooted in Socialist principles, but as a politician to respect.

I regret, therefore, his assumptions that the Hagley review and likely two-tier structure will have any hidden bearing on the Wyre Forest review which is not due to start until late 2003.

Everybody knows that our Wyre Forest schools are currently low on numbers.

However, Councillor Gordon seems to know we are going to close "one" school - from where I don't know. I wish he would pass on this valuable information to the education department at County Hall and save us all the time of a review which will free up officer time and save us some money.

What the administration at County Hall are prepared to do is have an open and frank review area by area.

We have inherited a timetable from the previous administration and we intend to honour that.

It is interesting that when the timetable was decided last year, when Councillor Gordon was an "independent" member, he never uttered a word about Wyre Forest.

Now though, under his new title of "Save our Hospital" his stance is to "Save our School".

I, and I am sure the electorate, will not be as naive as Mr Gordon.

Whatever follows when the Wyre Forest review has taken place will safeguard the education of our children for the next 25 years, not short-term political gains.

STEPHEN CLEE

Worcestershire county councillor

Hop Pole Lane, Bewdley