Sir – The campaign by the Government and the county council to force local primary schools to become academies (Report, February 9) is causing real damage to children’s education in Oxford.

Two excellent, well-liked and improving primary schools, in areas I represent, Larkrise and John Henry Newman, have had the rug pulled from under them by this academy threat.

Councillor Michael Wain, the former county cabinet member, let the cat out of the bag the other day. He claimed it was unfair to criticise Oxfordshire school results when the comparison is with areas of the country which spend two and three times as much on schools as we do.

Indeed, it is years of under-spending which are at the root of inadequate education for so many of our children.

John Henry Newman in Littlemore has a new headteacher who is working wonders. Larkrise in East Oxford has an experienced head who is making huge improvements in the children’s education.

Neither school will benefit from bringing in a sponsor, taking away the rights of local parents and ending the professional support of the county council.

John Tanner (Labour), Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, Oxford