I read with interest the article about Brighton College's link-up with an East London comprehensive school (The Argus, June 19).

As a historian whose career encompasses teaching and research in both the state and private sectors from primary to higher education, I feel this is the way forward. To try to, firstly, justify the huge charitable trust status we taxpayers all give to the small but excellent private sector and, secondly, to give the state sector a boost. It is common sense equity.

Yet I feel that places like Brighton College and schools like Roedean and St Mary's Hall could, and should, do a lot more to spread their excellence.

Why doesn't Schools Secretary Ed Balls use his powers to require sixth forms of private schools enjoying tax charity status to require contractually their teachers to teach 25% of their time at state equivalent schools or colleges?

Things like sports field exchanges are useful but all private schools in receipt of our taxpayer equity charitable trust status should be compelled to allow access to their libraries and theatres not just to neighbouring comprehensives but also to the community, as many of them do already on a commercial basis.

Until the compulsory and real sharing of top facilities enters the picture, I fear Brighton College's splendid initiative will not be followed.

  • Lawrence Iles, Salisbury Road, Eastbourne