SIR - I refer to the letter Rich pupils are behind faith schools' success' (June 6).

The writer obviously has absolutely no knowledge of admission criteria for faith schools and is talking from a position of ignorance.

Yes we offer places to Catholic children who apply but that is to be expected when it is a Catholic establishment, after all the members of the church have invested heavily both spiritually and financially in our college.

Being a member of a faith group does not mean being rich, in fact far from it.

In our college, we have an eclectic mix of pupils only 62 per cent of whom are Catholic. The remainder are of many of faiths and religions from all social backgrounds, but all are expected to adhere to the ethos of the college and that is where our success comes from, not selection of pupils.

We have high expectations of both staff and pupils and each pupil is valued as an individual. Systems are in place to ensure all in the college achieve to their highest level both academically and - just as important - as a fully developed person ready to face the world outside the school gate.

There is no social selection here. I invite Bob Churchill to come into the school and see how wrong he is in his assertions.

Ian Imray, Chairman of governors, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College.