I was pleased to read that author Philip Pullman is talking to Government ministers, trying to change their minds about their obsession with testing children (Oxford Mail, May 12).

Teachers are no longer allowed to encourage creativity in children. They do not have the time. They have to teach them to pass tests.

I am a parent with children aged eight and 12. In my younger daughter's school, I saw an art lesson. They were painting winter pictures. Outside, it was a beautiful winter's day.

I heard the teacher tell one of the children that their picture was "wrong". The child had painted a pink and blue sky, instead of the grey and blue she had shown them in the example (they were copying another picture).

I looked out of the window at a real winter sky which was shades of blue, pink, orange and red.

My children talk about how they have "done" the Romans, as if they now know everything about the Roman Empire. Everything is taught in separate boxes. Teachers have to fit so much into each day they cannot stop to allow for individuality or imagination.

It seems the policy these days is that as you cannot quantify individuality, it has to be stifled.

Thank goodness Philip Pullman is standing up for our children. No-one listens to mere parents, or voters, these days.

WENDY DANT

Manor Road

Witney