ON reading a daily paper I was saddened to read how pupils treat their teachers.

Teachers do not always have an easy time. Our five children attended Poppleton Road School and then Manor Church of England School. The last one left at 16 in 1992.

Our first was the class comedian. On open night, the teacher told me there would always be a job for him sweeping up. I was cross, but all he wanted to know was if they earned good money. He became a train driver.

The next child was quiet and a slow learner. He had a good job until redundancy. He then set up his own business, which is doing very well.

The next child was kind and considerate, but found school hard. He has now worked for the same hotel in York for 21 years.

Next child would not keep still, could not retain his school work, but was good with his hands. His love was music. He was a DJ for a number of years, while doing an apprenticeship. He too became redundant, then travelled 60-plus miles each day until a job became available in York.

The last child was always attentive and did well at school. She left Manor School at 16 and went on to York College. She got a job at 17 and has worked her way up the ladder. Not one of them has been out of work.

Teachers, you sow the seed in education and that is very important. On reading this letter you will see how the seed grew in slow learners for them to achieve what they have done.

Joan Long, Kingfisher Drive, Bridlington.