THE new timetable for Tavistock College, an institute of learning, seems to be an excellent idea. It effectively divides the school into two halves, therefore enabling the dedicated staff to control, supervise and ensure the safety of our children whilst in their care.

Due to the college's deservedly good reputation it is inundated every year with more and more applicants, and the staff are expected to accept ever-increasing numbers of pupils whilst remaining responsibility-laden and fully committed to the current pupils.

The college is having its facilities enlarged and updated and this obviates the need for it to adhere to rigid health and safety legislation prior to and during the building process.

A petition to the principal complaining about the changes, a good form of freedom of speech, is perhaps better used to petition the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, to request a massive investment in the college — increasing its size is crucial — please also ask for the teachers to receive higher pay .

The new scheme has only been in place for two weeks; please give it more time and I am sure it will prove to be the best improvement yet, and can join the other improvements, great in number, that I have witnessed in the last six years of my children's attendance at this school .

D Mortimer