Obviously television is a medium which has a great influence on children`s development. Writing on behalf of teachers in my school and also as a qualified OFSTED inspector, I feel it is very important that written information on screen in the course of TV programmes consistently follows the conventions of standard English, for example with regard to the correct use of capital letters and correct spelling. I believe unconventional fonts should be avoided also. Television has the opportunity to reinforce the work teachers are asked by the DfES to do in order to raise standards in English. Often it has the opposite effect.

I have no objection to presenters using colloquial "trendy" language; I appreciate fully that language is organic and therefore subject to change. However, with regard to the use of written English, which is the most difficult skill to teach, I do think a golden opportunity to help raise standards is often lost by television and not just in the course of programmes produced specifically for children.

David Clarke BA, M Ed, PGCE, 
Head Teacher