Goldstone Primary School has been through various levels of turmoil including losing headteachers, merging, threatened de-mergers and, now, losing an excellent headteacher in Mr Sutton-Smith, probably due to the length of time the new building has taken to be agreed and built.

Therefore praise should be given to the deputy headteacher at the junior site.

My daughter, who is in year four, came out of school on Friday with stories that were quite unbelievable.

It transpired her form teacher was away and a supply teacher had been employed. During the day, several incidents occurred - children were in tears from being pinched, pulled about and even the chair being kicked from beneath one boy.

My daughter said: "Don't worry mum, I told Mr Vallier."

I went into the school to check what was going on to discover Mr Vallier had not only believed these unbelievable stories but also shown sympathy to the relevant children and taken steps to ensure this teacher should not return to the school.

It is astounding, in an age when we are endeavouring to educate our children to be part of a non-violent society, that this teacher should inflict such actions on the children thinking that as an adult she would be believed.

So I should like to thank Mr Vallier for standing by our children and helping us achieve the environment we are striving to give them.

-Tanya Kennedy, Elm Drive, Hove