I find it difficult to reconcile Geraint Jones’ “personal views” against so-called inefficiency in state schools with the reality that I experience on a daily basis (”‘State sector’s inefficient culture makes me sick’”, 12 October). In small rural schools, there is no economy of scale and one or two children leaving or joining can make a huge difference to the teaching staff.

Staff in these schools work incredibly hard, using every available minute to further the children’s progress. To suggest that they are inefficient for handing over the counting of dinner money to an administration assistant makes no educational or economic sense. In my school, my teachers and my teaching assistants are paid to give the children in their care the best education possible. I fail to see how taking them away from that to make them count dinner money or supervise in the playground is a good use of their time.

Sheila Greenacre, Headteacher, Wicklewood Primary School, Norfolk.