SIR: I am sickened by the mob mentality developing at Manton Junior School in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Here is a 10-year-old child who has experienced three traumatic life experiences - two bereavements and his other significant carer in his life facing a serious operation. Is it any surprise that he may be suffering from excessive anxiety causing behavioural difficulties?

Surely the professionals involved in this case (ie the teachers) have some theoretical and practical understanding that excessive anxiety can be the greatest single threat to successful intellectual, social, emotional, sexual, physical and personal development that any child faces.

What is their response? Aligning themselves with other parents' self-interest, they demand segregation of the child and in the process demoralise him. Why are they so incapable of bringing about humane improvements to the lives of these so-called disruptive children?

I feel distaste at the coarse moral character of our oppressive culture, characterised by this case.

Maureen J Woodward, Duxbury Avenue,

Harwood, Bolton.

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