I was disappointed to read the letter 'Fridays 'no value for money' ' (Education Post, December 15) in which a parent complained that his/her son was not sitting at his desk for three consecutive Fridays, which was therefore a waste of the parent's money. Instead, the child participated in a school walkathon, there were parent-teacher interviews and an in-service day for teaching staff. An all-round education is not just about sitting at one's desk 'studying'. By participating in a walkathon, the child was gaining experience in working towards a common goal, learning about the value of money to a particular project, exercising in a purposeful way and working as a team with his schoolmates. There is a great deal of learning taking place in all of these areas. Similarly, a day of formal parent-teacher interviews is invaluable in assisting two-way contact - to the benefit of each individual child. If these interviews were conducted in the evenings (and they would have to be spread over several evenings) both parents and teachers would be tired and not enough value would be gained. Finally, in-service days for teachers are a crucial part of their ongoing professional development and are therefore of direct benefit to the children they teach. Curricula are updated, new educational theories and strategies discussed and existing areas improved upon. JOANNA HOTUNG Managing Director, Kids' Gallery
