It is regrettable Trevor Allen, headmaster of Dorothy Stringer School, has had to retract his views on the proposed changes to school admissions (The Argus, December 1).

Presumably, he is best placed to reflect on the impact they will have, so it is a shame Brighton and Hove City Council don't wish his views to be heard.

But Mr Allen's observations on the flawed nature of the consultation process are worth noting.

The process has been pushed at the last possible minute, with documentation being delivered to schools on the last day of the summer term - too late to be distributed to parents.

The "stakeholder" group which is discussing the question has not included parents from the areas which would be worst affected by the proposals.

I don't believe this is a conspiracy but it reflects badly on the competence of those making the proposals and organising the consultation.

Why the rush? Surely no fair-minded person would disagree the proposals should be shelved for at least a year so a proper consultation - including some alternatives - could be mooted?

A system which currently offers 95 per cent of parents their first choice is difficult to improve upon but removing choice from one set of parents to benefit another doesn't offer greater equality - unless you accept the Orwellian premise that some are more equal than others.

-Tim Linnell, Brighton