This is an open letter to Mr Trimmer, the head of Hove Park School.

Dear Sir, you have been asked by the council of Brighton and Hove to conduct a ballot of parents’ opinions on the proposal to turn Hove Park School into an academy. This has been declined by you.

You have stated in the pamphlet distributed to your staff that you will not be affording them the opportunity to vote on the issue either.

Three years ago, the school proposed a uniform change.

All parents were invited to vote on this. We could vote for or against a new uniform and we could then vote on which of many options of uniform we liked the most.

I am disappointed that you are willing to extend democracy to the colour of the trim on our children’s blazers but not to the future status of the school.

PS: I voted in favour of the blue trim.

Alrik Green, Cranmer Avenue, Hove