Sir, While not wishing to overly prolong the debate about Mr Percival's comments at the Fitzharry's Conference concerning the state of Matthew Arnold School, I feel I should add my own remarks.

I was head of Matthew Arnold from 1989 until 1999, leaving the school a term before Mr Percival's arrival. No one can, or wishes to, gainsay the fact that during his tenure the school's fortunes improved in terms of GCSE results and recruitment.

He was commendably quick to address management issues that needed attention. However, he himself described the Ofsted report of 2000 which took place in the week that he took over as head as a "glowing report" in The Oxford Times Educational Yearbook of 1999-2000.

What is unacceptable is his attribution of feelings and attitudes to staff. I did not know a school with depressed and embattled staff.

Indeed, despite dealing with year-on-year budget cuts, the spirit was positive, cheerful and at all times concerned with the good of children.

In 1999, there was not "a group of boys who kept smashing windows" and there was a rigorous policy against bad language, which was enforced.

All records about any incidents and their response were kept and could be viewed.

We enjoyed huge support from committed parents, again recorded. The A-Level results were consistently very good: this, too, is a matter of record.

I speak for myself, but also with total confidence on behalf of the other senior managers, that expectations were high for all pupils and that heads of year had the greatest of concern for their year group.

I have never in ten years at the school heard any comment that in any way could be interpreted as "What do you expect from comprehensive school pupils?"

I do not wish to undermine Mr Percival's achievements at the school and it is fitting that he now has a post where he can share with other heads the methods that brought him such success.

I wish him well in this worthwhile task. However, it is a shame that he feels the need to embellish his notable record by denigrating the efforts and commitment of former senior managers, staff and, indeed, students.

Elizabeth Howarth, Long Hanborough PS I have just read Gareth Meager's letter (April 21) and thank him very much for it.