Sir – As I write, thousands of pounds is being spent by Oxfordshire County Council to build a new classroom at St Ebbe’s School, to accommodate ‘rising fives’, who are at present attending the wonderful Grandpont Nursery School just down the road.

The children don’t want it, the parents don’t, nor do the school governors or teachers and the recently completed national ‘Cambridge Review of Primary Schools’ recommends a school starting age of six (based on international theory and practice).

I have engaged in the process of educational provision for over 20 years and have never met anyone (including councillors from every party on the county council) who believes that children in this country don’t start school early enough and that an earlier start would improve standards and welfare.

Can someone please explain how we manage to translate clear needs and wishes with regards to education, that would be in the best interests of the children, into action of the complete opposite?

Deborah Glass Woodin, Oxford