Sir, Having read the Peeblesshire News and the national press reports on the situation at West Linton Primary School, can we say how disappointed we are in the way that the headteacher has been treated by the Scottish Borders Council education department and also vilified by some of the parents of pupils at the school.

From experience, our children have enjoyed their time at the school and become very fond of their teachers, the headteacher and the other members of staff.

At no time have we had any cause for concern and if any issue has arisen, the door has been open to allow us to discuss the matter respectfully, taking into account the needs of the whole school not just our own.

West Linton is a state school and parents cannot expect the equivalent of a private education. The HMI report shows that there were aspects that were wrong. Assurances were given from the Scottish Borders Council education department that the support required to enable the school faculty to put things right would be provided. Their subsequent actions show clearly, that was never the intention.

The headteacher is a good and decent person who has been made out to be the scapegoat for the failings of the Scottish Borders Council education department to provide the support that the school faculty required on a day to day basis and also during the construction of the new building.

We are saddened that the blame for the HMI report has been attributed to just one person.

I am, etc.

Name & Address withheld West Linton