SIR,

I am sure many people have been following the series of letters commenting on the state of Monmouth Comprehensive School in recent weeks. I myself have been doing so and feel that a number of important issues have not been addressed and so I write this letter today.

When Mrs Anderson became head teacher at our school it seemed that everything was on course to change for the better. However, at a second glance it seems not all is well at the once respected Monmouth Comprehensive School.

As a student I have become aware of the evident regime that has recently hit the school, areas fenced off for apparent good reasons but most students (whom these fences were meant to benefit) believe that they cause nothing but inconvenience, especially as there was no apparent problem before they appeared.

Also there is the issue of uniform. Everyday numerous students will have seemingly smart clothing confiscated simply because the school logo is not on the item or because it is against the rather misty school uniform policy.

Surely, if plain black belts, cardigans, etc., are acceptable within the offices of blue chip companies it is absurd that are they not in our local comp. We also need to ask ourselves why children choose alternative uniforms, perhaps because the official uniform is expensive, uncomfortable, unflattering and seems to lose its quality after one or two washes.

Furthermore, it is also the quality of student education that is now being compromised. It seems that the school are employing numerous substitute teachers who have no enthusiasm nor intention to actually try teaching.

In addition to this, students are also being denied opportunities promised to them. For example, a set one year ten maths set have been told they cannot complete the statistics G.C.S.E in lesson time despite being promised this by the department.

When teachers and members of staff have been confronted about this, all is blamed on the fact that the students in our class are 'unmotivated and too badly behaved and behind in their course' to do so.

In fact, a high percentage of the class are extremely motivated and capable of completing this G.C.S.E and even so motivated that one of them is writing this letter now. Students will now lose free time after school if they wish to pursue this.

I would also like to take the opportunity to say that I highly disagree with the school's policy that 'it is not a teacher's job to control a class'.

Surely it is the duty of the teacher to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform to their best and if this means controlling a class then this must be done.

Further to the previous letters posted in The Beacon I would like to mention that if all the school and Redcliffe Catering can comment about these issues is that 'students HAVE been provided with a coffee machine.' then they obviously need to take a step back and take a look at the more major problems the school faces rather than one simple mistake in a letter by a fellow concerned student.

Censorship is another major issue our school is faced with and maybe it was just a coincidence that The Beacon was missing during the previous week of complaint but it is not a coincidence that teachers are told to defend the school's policies even if they disagree with them.

From talking to teachers myself I know that they have to defend the new school skills based curriculum at all costs even though they (rightly) disagree with it, but discussing that could fill a whole new letter.

I know Mrs Anderson has chosen to reply to no further letters, however I hope when she has spare time, aside from planning her lovely new planned school, she will consider problems with the existing site which has run smoothly for years before her and probably still can with the right policies and ideas in place.

I have not taken my problems to our head teacher personally as requested because having been on, and knowing members of our school council, I can tell you that it has been proved very ineffective to take problems to Mrs Anderson personally.

I choose to remain anonymous in this letter as in the head teacher's own words, to the shock of school council members "our school is not a democracy".

I well know that in a dictatorship those who succeed are those that whistle to the tune of their leader and this belief has certainly been proved by the pupils in authority at our school. I hope that our school can get back on its feet and I hope that I have helped to express the beliefs of our pupils to the town of Monmouth.

Concerned Pupil

(name and address supplied)