IN 2009, the Oxford Mail published my letter praising the outstanding achievement of Combe School (2008 Ofsted report) which was a bright moment during dark days, with a nation sickened by lies and mismanagement and soon to end the shameful years of New Labour.

In my letter, I partly surmised on likely reasons for the school’s harmony and success.

It was, therefore, pleasing to read a recent report (Oxford Mail, June 12) of the current success of Crowmarsh Gifford Pre-School, which received Ofsted’s highest rating.

Perhaps it is not unreasonable to imagine certain similarities exist between Combe and Crowmarsh.

Although my view of British education will be dismissed as mere misguided, curmudgeonly reaction by the dwindling band of progressives, I would, nevertheless, presume a Tower of Babel hardly the best institution of learning.

Even I was surprised to find a school with 114 pupils in Birmingham where 31 languages are spoken.

Although this must be a record, many lesser examples already exist, something hardly conducive to learning.

Surely, in any field of endeavour, those at ease with their cultural fellows succeed best.

When I wrote this letter (June 16), I was informed it was 100 years since Enoch Powell’s birth. In his Cambridge inspirer’s words: “And beacons burn again.”

STEPHEN WARD Tudor Close Oxford