Diverse education

Sir, Francis Gilbert’s article (“New schools of thought”, life, Mar 7) is a clear statement as to why the free schools policy is to be applauded. If Montessori schools “impose an adult-defined work ethic”, Steiner schools are “based on a cult” and TM-inspired schools are introducing children to “an unproven mystical technique”, what better way to expose their respective myths and debunk their alternative practice than to welcome them into the maintained sector, expose them to the appropriate scrutiny and watch them fail? Of course there is always the possibility that these alternative methods may bring new insights, innovative practice and fresh inspiration to teachers, parents and children alike.

As for the so-called Steiner “cult”, the only unifying belief to be found among the diverse community of free-thinking teachers and parents that make up these schools is that Steiner’s educational insights can benefit our children and enrich the educational debate. In most of Europe people are free to choose these forms of education and can depend on their elected governments to resource them adequately. In the UK the choice is restricted to those with the financial means. Diversity, like equality of opportunity, should not be an option for a privileged few; nor should imaginative and inspirational education.