SIR – ALL schools age from the time that they were built, so one is bound to question whether sensible refurbishing the present “four ageing secondary schools”, using money borrowed on the open market by the council , would be more prudent and economic than entering into a private finance rebuild project.

Past experience indicates that we shall be lumbered with an inordinate debt for years to come and have to put up with less than ideal premises on a take it or leave it basis as the financier will hold all the cards. Education money should primarily be to the benefit of pupils and not financial institutions who see it as a soft touch. Let’s hope that our new £200k chief executive will have the commensurate financial acumen to wisely direct the use of public money.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon