SIR The plans for Monmouth's 21st Century school have a very last century look to them. The architect (Mr Kneafsey) explains "rather than being about corridors, this is about using balconies and opening up". For more than three decades I have taught in open-plan educational settings, as well as in more traditional ones and, in my experience, pupils and teachers give open plan their best efforts, but eventually try and recreate quieter, more orderly spaces, which provide a more effective learning environment. A report in The Times (July 25, 2014) quotes a newly appointed Head working to transform a badly failing, late 20th Century newly built school: "£54 million was spent on a new school building that was entirely open plan, entirely bonkers". Department of Education officials visiting the school said: "the school's open plan areas meant it was impossible to see if any learning was taking place, meaning even outstanding teachers would struggle to deliver a lesson and one in six pupils plays truant regularly." A new school for Monmouth should build on the proven strengths of the old, not introduce new problems for pupils and teachers, which will require further investment to try and solve in the future. Jo Binmore (Monmouth)