AS a secondary school teacher, I am seriously worried that anyone can be so naive regarding high achieving schools as Alison Wilson (Share in success of top schools, August 29).

As a social experiment you could close St Ninian's in Giffnock for an academic year and spread the "high achieving pupils" around a dozen Glasgow schools; there would be no significant reduction in terms of the qualifications gained by the pupils.

Surely by now everyone must realise the single most important factor in pupils' achievement is parental influence and expectations. These expectations increase in areas of high socio-economic profile, where professional parents often employ private tutors.

I am taking nothing away from the hard working staff of St Ninian's nor suggesting that all parents in this catchment area fit the above description; nevertheless we help no one by pretending that all schools compete on a level playing field. MICHAEL, Glasgow No job cuts planned

I WRITE regarding the article Tennent's sale puts jobs at risk (August 28), about C&C Group's proposed acquisition of the Scottish assets of ABInbev, including Tennent's and the Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow.

I would like to reaffirm that C&C Group plc have no plans for job cuts at Wellpark Brewery as a result of this proposed deal. The company has acquired the iconic Tennent's brand and we plan to invest and grow the business.

The point I made was that I can envisage a time when we may extend its distribution by packaging Tennent's in our facility in Ireland for the Irish market, thereby taking Scotland's favourite lager into new markets.

Similarly, I explained that we could package Magner's cider in Glasgow for our growing UK market.

As a Glaswegian, I am excited at the prospects of growing Tennent's both in Scotland and other markets. I am delighted that Glasgow has become our key centre for brewing. STEPHEN GLANCEY, Chief Operating Officer, C&C Group plc £3m isn't enough

GOOD luck to the three areas which are bidding for public money (Triple bid to brighten up high streets, August 28), but it will take more than a measly £3million to breathe new life into Shawlands, Possilpark and Parkhead.

Having said that, how much would it take to demolish the Shawlands Arcade? Give me a wrecking ball and I'd happily start the process. MA, Glasgow Work with Diageo

THE Diageo workers in Killie are right to fight for their livelihoods. Similarly I can understand - without necessarily agreeing with - the company's plans to slim down their Scottish operations.

Those such as Des Browne and Unite should choose their fighting talk carefully. This corporation is not downsizing its investment in Scotland - the opposite is true. So rather than posturing for political gain they should be trying to convince the company it can achieve efficiency without fully withdrawing from Killie - but I won't hold my breath. SUNNY JIM, South Side Amateur film nights

REGARDING your story A trip to the stars (August 19) about the Glasgow Film Theatre - for many years the Glasgow Cine Club used to hire the GFT one night each year to screen that year's 10 best amateur films.

I wonder how many film buffs recall those great nights? KG, Clydebank WRITE: Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. Please include your name and address. E-MAIL: letters@eveningtimes.co.uk Please include postal address. TEXT: key in the word 'etletters', leave a space then send your comments to 88010. Max 160 characters. Please include your name or initials and where you're from. Texts cost 25p at all times. HOT TOPIC: STV serves up shortbread-tin rubbish

I WOULDN'T mind if STV was actually making decent programmes and showing them in place of the networked shows, but we're missing out on Marple, Midsomer Murders and more, only to be served up shortbread-tin rubbish. SECONDCITY, Glasgow Viewers don't agree

BOBBY HAIN, director of broadcasting at STV, said: "We think the strategy is bold and innovative." The viewing public do not agree. It won't be long before we're reading about STV's demise. MARTIN, Glasgow Six o'clock waffle

STV's 6pm news should be done under the Trade Descriptions Act. It's five minutes of news and 25 minutes of waffle. Even the presenters seem embarrassed. WILD WADI, Kirkie Changing channels

STV's ad revenues will drop even further when advertisers realise how many people are being encouraged to watch other channels. Viewers will get used to watching other ITV regions, and won't bother watching STV at all. SCOTT, Airdrie Kept in the dark

WHAT we are seeing here is the asset stripping of STV. Culturally and media wise, STV is irrelevant to Scotland. Its news coverage is embarrassing and STV seems to be in denial about its contribution to a dumbed-down population that is kept in the dark. This is why advertisers are shunning STV. FLUFFY BUNNY, Posted online Looking to London

I HOPE the Evening Times will start to publish the ITV London schedule so we don't have to miss anything that STV is opting out of. JKR, Lochwinnoch Poor relations

I AM totally peeved off that viewers in the STV area are treated like the poor relations by their own TV station. We get outdated programmes/films while the rest of the UK enjoys new drama such as Wuthering Heights and Marple.

There's also a rumour that eventually shows like Emmerdale and Corrie will disappear from STV. If that happens, I will not be watching STV any more. IRN-BRU, Glasgow