I WOULD like to say how much I agree with Peter Stanway (Academy concerns, May 18).

Like Mr Stanway I cannot understand how Lakers and St Anthony’s will be better schools by being taken over by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

There is also the question of the ownership of the land and buildings, which has not been adequately explained.

What has happened to local democracy?

The Conservative government is very quick to suggest in many cases that ‘people on the spot are best able to make decisions – they know local needs.”

So why not let the locally elected body make decisions about these schools?

Why not properly consult local people about the schools, buildings and land?

Children get only one chance at education. We need to be sure that that chance is the best that is possible.

– Sally McGoon, Lydney.