S GUNTER appears to suggest a 420-pupil school might not be as good as a small school such as Windmill Hill.

My three sons go to the 420-pupil plus Brookfield School. It and they are doing very well. The standard at Brookfield was high even when it had a higher roll.

Like Windmill Hill, Brookfield has Key Stage 2 results that consistently beat the average for Swindon LEA.

It might not be the number of pupils that is the main factor in determining a good school.

The quality of the head, staff, governors and the support of parents promote a good learning environment and have more to do with results and overall popularity than the size of the school roll.

Many parents fall into the trap of defending "my school" from amalgamation/closure because it's better than "your school."

Hopefully more will take a subjective look at the potential that Extended Schools could bring to West Swindon including how better schools could aid those with a weaker record and kick back at the weaknesses in the council's visionless proposal.

JOHN DOYLE

Yarnton Close, Nine Elms, Swindon