Don Campbell, of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth, Vicarage Hill, Dartmouth, writes:

On the Wednesday before reading about Dartmouth Academy being placed in ‘special measures’, Chronicle, November 27, I took part in a careers day organised by the school.

I was one of a group of ­current and retired businesspeople who interviewed the students and gave them feedback on interview techniques and the quality of the CVs they had prepared.

They also had the opportunity during the day to talk to representatives of a large number of different types of employer.

I found the students were well prepared for the exercise and gave a very good account of themselves. They were well supported by staff members, and the staff we spoke to all made the point that there was a new focus and direction

to the whole ethos of the ­academy.

The acting head took time out of her busy day to thank us for our contribution.

I will be very surprised if Dartmouth Academy is in ­special measures for long, as the pupils and staff we met seem totally focused on being the best they can be.