BILL Davison wrote in last week's Worcester News that claims on the cost of re-building Christopher Whitehead High School were just county council propaganda.

He is, however, comparing apples and pears, and nonsense about propaganda does not move us forward.

Building on a school site with challenging health and safety requirement without educational disadvantages is costly. You cannot compare such costs with a new school on a green field site. There are sound educational reasons behind the need for a new school for Christopher Whitehead.

That is, and should be my foremost concern. Outcomes for children and young people - achievement and attainment, enjoying while achieving - are primarily about the school and its ethos and culture, but buildings and facilities also play an important part.

One of my highest priorities is looking for an achievable way forward for this school. Building on the school site would be costly if we were to avoid educational disadvantages, doing nothing also has educational disadvantages, while new sites do not grow on trees.

There is a real will between the county council and the city council to make a difference here that I am pursuing vigorously, but the challenges are considerable.

COUNCILLOR LIZ EYRE,

Cabinet for Children's Services

Worcestershire County Council.