When decisions that could change the lives of children are being made there is a moral obligation to put argument accurately and factually.

Having seen Hove Park School’s proposal to become an academy, I must question some of the claims made by the school.

The proposal claims that becoming an academy is necessary because “as a local authority school we would simply not be listened to by central Government or other funding agencies”.

Last year, I retired as senior advisor at the Department of Education after 14 years with the department and its funding agencies.

I can state with certainty that no minster or civil servant has ever suggested that “local authority schools” “would not be listened to” by the department or funding agency.

Indeed, given that more than two-thirds of all schools in England are still local authority schools this claim seems entirely without foundation.

The proposal also implies that conversion to an academy would generate more funding for the school.

To quote directly from the Department’s guidance on academy funding: “Academies (including special academies) are funded on the same basis as maintained schools.”

So why has this fact been omitted from the proposal?

I am not a Hove Park School parent, member of staff or governor but I wonder why a document with unsubstantiated claims is being presented by the Chair of Governors to parents. What could be the reason?

Aidan Pettitt, Osborne Road, Brighton

I refer to a letter from Mark and Kate Radcliffe (The Argus, April 24) and their concerns regarding Hove Park School becoming an academy. I believe they have nothing to worry about when they state the children will not be put first.

My grandson joined Seaford Head. It was a successful and popular school, very similar to Hove Park now. The school was about to become an academy and, since doing so, has brought about great benefits for pupils. It has been congratulated by SSAT, an educational body of heads and teachers, for being in the top 20% of schools in the country for student progress.

These pupils have been put first, hence their progress. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of senior management team and the teachers. Good teachers are essential for pupil progress and the academy route and free schools are able to recruit and retain good teachers.

It should be noted I do not know any of the staff at the school.

My other grandson attends the new free school, Kings School in Portslade. He is making excellent progress, too. I am pleased my grandsons are both able to attend good state secondary schools.

Councillor Lynda Hyde, Rottingdean Coastal ward, Conservative, Brighton and Hove City Council