So, we have finally been informed of the school adjudicator's decision to surrender and get the Bagam (Balfour Action Group Against Merger) people off the case by rejecting the proposal for an all-through school.

One cannot help but have been impressed by Bagam's military-style propaganda machine throughout the whole campaign.

This letter may cause The Argus postbag to see it in action if it comes to the attention of Bagam's mission control.

I speak as a parent of one of the 30 or so seven-year-olds who will now have to find another school and say goodbye to all their formative year friends as a result.

I imagine Bagam probably considers these children regrettable "casualties of war".

There have been many in previous years and many more now lining up in the pipeline, no doubt resolving to go through the arduous but largely fruitless appeal process.

My child is very upset, which, of course, upsets me. But a move away from the sort of school Balfour has now become, peppered as it is with a "not in my catchment area" snobbery and lacking in regard for its community as a whole, does not seem such a bad thing to me.

Indeed, the thought of turning up next term to see a group of parent governors chained to the school railings wailing the "Bagam chant" (yes, they even had a chant - we were treated to the lyrics at the school fete, where they were allowed to have a stall) would make a trip down the Ardoyne Road seem almost preferable.

So if you are thinking about sending your child to Balfour in future (many infant school places are available), think carefully.

Three years down the line, you may find yourself an "outsider" surplus to requirements. But haul up the ladder, we're all right Jack.

-Name and address supplied