Unjust comments caused much upset

I was a pupil at the school between 1994 and 2001, completing both my GCSEs and A-Levels at the school, during which time Mr Percival took over as head and Mr Kennell took over as head of sixth form.

I was rather dismayed when I read the original story detailing what Mr Percival had said about the state of the school when he took over in 1999.

As someone who was there during this time I feel it is important to state that it was not a school in turmoil or a school that could be described as poor.

I remember there being distinct unrest over the arrival of the new head in terms of the likeability of the previous one, Mrs Howarth, and the unnecessary changes that were implemented by Mr Percival.

The main two initial changes being the school uniform and a refurbishment of the front foyer area. Now and at the time this seemed wholly pointless and if the school was indeed in turmoil were these his priorities?

During my two years in the sixth form I encountered problems with a change in teacher for sociology.

Our teacher retired (making it quite clear the change in head was a leading factor in her decision) and a new teacher came in, who chose to completely alter the direction of the course and its teaching.

My parents and myself had much difficulty sorting out this problem with both Mr Percival and Mr Kennell.

Rather than point fingers and lay blame, I would be very keen for you to print this letter, or make it known that these comments about Matthew Arnold are unjust and cause much upset to those who were there at the time.

I spent seven years at the school and feel that the worst times all came nearer the end, following the retirement of Mrs Howarth.

I, and many others in my year, went on to university and now have degrees and feel that we did not in any way attend a poor school.

Gareth Meager, Oxford