Sir, Dear David Cameron, I am incensed and saddened by the increasingly desperate plight of Wood Green School that is unfolding; an appalling indictment of your government’s education policy and you as a local MP.

In a short space of time, this wonderful school, renowned for its diversity, inclusiveness and support of its students regardless of ability, is portrayed as an abject failure in the town, most recently highlighted in the headline article of the ww.

The result is a demoralised and disorientated staff, confused parents, and students who feel embarrassed about the school they attend and the headlines it is attracting.

How did it come to this? A disastrous, meddling Education Secretary in the guise of your friend and colleague, Michael Gove, along with inflexible, dogmatic policies that can relegate an ‘outstanding’ school to one in special measures in the space of a few years.

Now it transpires the school cannot even move forward with its academy plans because its chosen partner will not contemplate taking on the obligations of some of the repair and maintenance work required to some of the buildings.

Two of my children are currently at the school and two more enjoyed successful times at Wood Green, achieving good results, a university education and gainful employment. How can the school recover its self-confidence and meet the aspirations of current and future students, when it is mired in this appalling position?

In the campaigning ahead of the most recent election, I heard you say that you wanted children to have equal opportunities to fulfil their potential regardless of their background.

I was sceptical then, of course, knowing you lead a cabinet drawn almost exclusively from privileged public schools, but it rings so hollow now given the situation at Wood Green, your apparent lack of interest and failure to get involved and help them.

I presume it is an embarrassment to you and therefore something you want to keep at arm’s length?

I want to know what you will do personally to help this lovely school recover its confidence and self-esteem in Witney and return to the days of helping the town’s children fulfil their ambitions.

Paul Harwood
Stanway Close
Witney