With reference to the news that 82 per cent of Essex parents get their first choice of secondary school, I think pupils, parents, families and residents in the Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell areas are in the extraordinarily fortunate position of having five excellent state secondary schools in the local area.

Davenant Foundation School, Debden Park High School, Roding Valley High School, Trinity Catholic High School and West Hatch High School are, based on the large amount of feedback I receive from local parents/carers, excellent schools.

All offer slightly different opportunities, have their own traditions, ethos, culture and will suit different children.

But the one thing they ALL have in common is that in my experience and knowledge (based on very nearly 40 years of teaching in local secondary schools) they ALL offer an excellent rounded educational experience between the ages of 11 through to 18 for our local children/teenagers.

Stephen Murray

Independent District and Town Councillor

Loughton Roding Ward