ONE aspect of teaching that I feel could be partly responsible for bad behaviour is the present day lay-out of classrooms where the children are sat in small groups on separate tables placed around the room.

Some children have their backs to the teacher, others have a sideways view.

Of prime importance in any classroom is the teacher with the blackboard immediately behind him/her.

The child has no option but to focus on these two.

Some of my little friends tell me that little ‘Johnnie’ or ‘Susie’ (with their backs to the teacher) will act the comedian – they cannot be seen and therefore are not reprimanded and the rest of those sitting at one of these individual desks have lost their concentration on lessons.

Why those in authority cannot accept that many of the ‘old ways’ are still the best is beyond me.

With pupils sat in rows of desks, all facing the front, benefit is had by all in the classroom.

I agree this is just one aspect of the problem – there are obviously others – but one such fault so blatantly obvious should be remedied.

RUTH COOK, Redhill Park, Bournemouth