AS a retired teacher with direct experience of three local schools I am alarmed at the "bandwagon" effect being created. The general public may not realise the significance of such a development so I add my voice to the protest of the cavalier attitude adopted by St Christopher's, Accrington.

That Hyndburn needs a Sixth Form College is probably very true, with all the current pressure to educate our children.

That it should be based at St Christopher's is a bad move motivated by the drive to promote itself as the best local school.

Children often succeed because their parents motivate them and since this school is perceived to be good, it has more than its fair share of applicants.

To base a sixth form college in the grounds of this school would further promote this myth.

Other schools have a more average intake of motivated children. One local school given such pupils achieved 'O' Levels in the fourth year and levels in the fifth year for the top set of pupils!

In fact one could argue pupils with ability are better served by other schools.

Tables of results show less than four per cent variation for the "value added" by any schools.

The previous sixth form college was based at Sandy Lane by mutual consent of all the local schools and failed because it was under subscribed.

If we are to have a sixth form college let it be here, creating a level playing field for successful pupils from our local schools.

Attaching such a college to one school gives an advantage to those pupils and makes that school more desirable for brighter pupils.

Retired teacher (name and address supplied).