Sir – Last month, cabinet discussed provision for the city’s children amid disquiet that certain schools may grow considerably, coupled with acknowledgement that the squeeze for places and funds is firmly on.


If, as Oxford parents, you feel that a three-form entry school becomes just too big, with 630 children, you may already have registered your concern: now is the time to make it clear. Councillor Tilley will welcome all feedback and your MP may strengthen subsequent deliberation.


If, as city governors or heads, you feel that the council lacks a clear, effective strategy for predicting and delivering the places required, or if you feel that 3fe primaries are too big, then this is the time for action. Co-ordinated, resourceful resistance to such large schools may elicit alternative plans.


If, as a city colleague of councillor Tilley, you convey to her the feeling on the issue across your division, then we may see a broader understanding of the policy, constraints and responses emerge.
Perhaps this difficulty of primary-place provision has been sufficiently persistent as to merit a proper allocation of leadership and resource. If, as an outside observer, you wonder why this problem arises with such reliable frequency — especially, but not exclusively, in Oxford — then you might ask whether the current administration carries your confidence in matters around basic provision.
But, as with the libraries debate which vexed us, so with our schools. It is not the community which is to do as politicians ask: rather, and importantly, they should inform themselves of our opinions and be guided by them as they consider how to lead the negotiation of difficult and demanding issues.
Councillor Tilley has shown herself able to command much support around the county’s reading campaign. She now needs our support to resolve the city’s perennial places problem.
Peter Martin, Bampton