12 APRIL 1945, Page 13

APRIL THE FIRST

SIR,—In Sir Richard Livingstone's admirable article in your issue of March 30th, on the new Education Act, there are two points I should like to make. (a) " An education which will enable them to develop their minds and personalities along ways which they find easy to travel." In twenty-five years of experience, I have found, and so have many children in my care, that it is only after the ages of 14, 15 and even 16 that the pupil discovers the joy and satisfaction of travelling along the road of education by paths which they find difficult. The consequent self-discipline necessary has proved of inestimable character value.

(2) "How are we to attract first-rate ability to sixth form teaching?" Before the Burnham Scale higher salaries, many teachers chose the teaching profession in spite of small salaries. More than first-rate ability is needed, though that is essential. A true and heart-felt desire to help children to develop fully, to educate them for Life, an almost missionary spirit, in short a real sense of vocation is essential, and of course, the