I FEEL compelled to write to you in sheer exasperation concerning your editorial (Worcester News, January 19) that once again uses sloppy, emotive language to depict the education provided in Worcester.

To describe Elgar Technology College as "abysmal" does your paper no credit whatsoever. Education is about much more than results, and all involved at Elgar deserve more than a sensationalist label that once again stigmatises this community.

Furthermore, your paper's comments of "saluting dear old Chrissies" is baffling. What audience are you writing for - 1950s Britain? Christopher Whitehead Language College is a modern 21st Century school, not some barber shop or genteel rest home - please use the name correctly.

Correct terminology clearly matters (your re-branding of your paper's name from Worcester Evening News to Worcester News depicts your desire to publish for the whole of Worcester city community), as does celebrating fully the many successes of a truly comprehensive school.

Last year, I believe our top 10 students outstripped the top 10 private sector students with 10 x A* or more GCSE grades. In my opinion, to simply re-print league tables is not good journalism.

Please be aware that your headlines and comments do make a difference and are read by students, parents and people who care greatly about the education we provide in an under-funded county. Now there's a scandalous story.

NEIL S MORRIS,

Headteacher,

Christopher Whitehead.