There is so much more to learning than academic achievement alone.

I am in full support of St Peter's School and (headteacher) Val Ford.
She and her staff are doing so much, so how sad that a misplaced demand from the Government could have a potentially negative affect on the improving perceptions of the school.

I live in Houghton and Wyton where the catchment school is St Peter's. However, many people living here have refused to even consider the school, to the point where they have never even set foot in the place.

It amazes me how anyone can make such a judgement purely on perception. They have effectively let someone else make their minds up for them.

I have three children, all of whom are at St Peter's. All three were given the same opportunity to look at other options. However, I am proud to say St Peter's was named as their first choice every time. 

My eldest is taking GCSE maths a year early, my next has just taken an applied GCSE in drama in Year 8 and my youngest is soon to attend maths workshops held by the Royal Institute.

The opportunities for success are there. But just as importantly, this is a school where staff care about the children as individuals.

Any issues we have had, on an academic or social basis, have been dealt with promptly and efficiently.

From what I know of others experiences at secondary schools in Huntingdonshire, I do not regret for one moment that my children go to St Peter's. My children have the desire to do well and they are learning in an environment that on the whole supports that. I truly believe they will do as well at St Peter's as they would at any other school in the area.

Numbers in tables are a very small part of the whole picture and while I have no doubt GCSE results will continue to improve, the school has so much more to be proud of than just that.
D Hall
Houghton & Wyton

>> The report on St Peter's School was an example of how out of touch this Government is.

Yes, St Peter's may have had problems in the past, but over the past couple of years things have clearly been going in the right direction and the staff and pupils deserve credit for this.

To lump St Peter's in with failing inner-city schools is just wrong. It is a good school and is clearly improving – a fact mentioned by Ofsted.
If schools can be closed for failing, then what about closing down this Government which is clearly failing the whole country?

Well done to the Town Crier for a sensible report and not jumping on the hysterical 'closure' bandwagon.
T Smith
Huntingdon

Hospital praise
>> People are always grumbling about the hospitals in our area, but I must say that my sister and I have great faith in Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

They saved my sister. She was in hospital for two months and I must say the care she received was marvellous.

The doctors, nurses and all who worked there could not do enough for her. Also the paramedics who had arrived at our house within a few minutes and Lloyds chemist, who did her prescription – also within a few minutes. What would we without them?

They are the people who deserve a rise in salary. They are the people who really care.
Miss G Disbrey
Hawthorn Road
St Neots

Centre can work with GP surgeries
>> As it become more and more apparent that St Neots will be having a new health centre/polyclinic, it would seem in our best interest as the healthcare consumers of St Neots to participate in the process of formation so that the Primary Care Trust can create a facility useful to us all.

We should be concerned and aware that this new entity not threaten continuity of patient care provided by local doctor's surgeries.

In the Guardian on April 29, George Monbiot attempts to convince the readers that this new scheme will kill GP surgeries and promote private for-profit companies. Does this necessarily have to be the case? Can't the two facilities endeavour to provide linked/continuous patient services in harmony.

The 2007 patient satisfaction survey for Cedar House and Dumbelton revealed the 'local dissatisfaction' was related specifically to telephone access early in the morning. This basically involves those people who need an urgent appointment on the current day. It is in this capacity that the health centre can be most useful. All other aspects of the survey far exceeded patient and government expectations.

The new centre can also alleviate improper use of A & E services by providing triage services and walk-in care. The ideas are endless. Let us take advantage of the opportunities provided to assist the PCT in providing a new facility that we can all utilise and be proud of by attending the consultation meetings and voicing our opinions.

This is also a good time to stay informed by joining your local PPG (Patient Participation Group).
Celeste Bushnell
Chairman
Cedar House and Dumbelton Patient Association

Phone boxes are a waste of money
>> I think BT phone boxes should be removed, especially if they're being used as little as one call a month (Town Crier, June 12).

It should be remembered that BT is a profit making company not a charity. If BT are making a loss on these phone boxes it is myself and others who have a BT phone who will be subsidizing this loss. And is Cllr Mandy Thomas advocating that the local council subsidize these phones if BT won't?

Again as a council tax payer I do not want to be subsidising such a useless piece of equipment that has now had its day.
David Brawn
Sawtry