WHAT is it about the dreaded word "selection" that scares the living daylight out of some Labour politicians, including those who ensure their own children attend selective schools?

If the word "selection" is supposedly outlawed by the present Government, why are so many comprehensive schools allowed to use the title grammar school?

All grammar schools were selective during my schooldays, although I was never a pupil at such a school myself.

Tadcaster Grammar School (now a comprehensive) was a selective school otherwise it would not have had the word grammar in its title. At that time local people were too shrewd to be misled by titles that were not strictly correct.

Tadcaster Grammar School had three houses, Oglethorpe, Dawson and Calcaria - all three in respect of the school's historical foundation, two in honour of the founders and the other one, the old name for Tadcaster. But these houses are no more.

If it is true that the historical roots of Tadcaster Grammar School have been renounced, then why continue to use the old title which in any case is now not strictly accurate?

Ida Mary Goodrick,

Woodlands Avenue, Tadcaster.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, August 05, 2004