I WRITE in protest about the proposed publicisation of St Anthony's private Catholic school in Cinderford as reported in last week's paper.

Apart from any arguments about state funding of faith-based schools and the timing when the Conservatives are withdrawing universal provision such as the Wilderness Centre, why should hard working ordinary families support this direct public subsidy for elitist education?

Quite simply, how can this be justified as part of any coherent education policy except perhaps as a reward for those who support the current government?

Pete Stanway

Pope's Hill