as God's servant and ours, rather than as a prince of the Church."

Yours faithfully, DAPHNE M. F. BYRNE Havant, Hants
Saving Master Ryan
From the headmaster of the Oratory School, Reading Sir, The article on Ryan Bell and his experience at Downside illustrates two points: first the compassionate and generous nature of Catholic education exemplified by Downside's offer to help a young man who had "come off the rails"; secondly, the dangers of involvement with the media. As one old hand told me many years ago: the media is a double-edged sword and one year's favourable attention will bring another year's intrusiveness and scandal.
The Oratory School developed a relationship with Future Hope' (a charity for Calcutta orphans) and we have two boys from the charity who are studying in the sixth form at The Oratory on free places. The agreement at the outset was that there should be minimal media involvement as there was fundamental purpose of the scheme i.e. to enable those who are severely disadvantaged. I am sure that this was the prime motive for Dom Antony Stitch, the former headmaster of Downside, and his genuine and sincere efforts should not be undermined by the situation that has transpired.
Yours faithfully, CLIVE DYTOR The Oratory School Reading From Mr Alistair N. Scott Sir, I agree with Dom Antony Sutch's basic premise (May 9) that young people within the care system deserve the best education available, wherever it may be found.
However, he fails to mention that the independent sector has been working in this area for decades, if not longer.
Research informs us that young people "Looked After" have a relatively high incidence of mental health difficulties, emotional and behavioural disorders, abuse problems, post traumade stress, attachment difficulties or self harm. Multiple breakdown of placements do not help, and high quality education is only part of the answer.
For any residential resource this requires a body of appropri-. ately trained and qualified staff, if abuses of the past (North Wales, Staffordshire, pin-down) are to be avoided.
The overall staff-to-child ratio needs to be more intensive than will be provided at Downside or similar establishments. Often this sector operates at ratios of two staff per child or greater. This would of course cost a great deal more than £18,000 pa quoted by Dom Antony for a place at Downside.
Often the funding of placements for children "Looked After" is split two or three ways — between Social Services, Health and Education — Charles Clarke's pain is shared.
Pragmatically, it could be argued that if Downside had been able to meet Ryan's needs he would still be there.
While he may be "snapped up" by mainstream state schools, it is not uncommon for pupils who struggle in mainstream schools to be snapped up by other schools.
Yours faithfully ALISTAIR N. SCOTT SctA liNi @aohcom