The Spectator

The Spectator guide to grammar schools 2009 Your guide to using the tables An independent education can, and often does, lead to a head start in life for those fortunate enough to experience it. For parents, grandparents and others involved, it is a big decision. From prep to sixth form, an independent school education for one child can cost well over £250,000. So how do you choose? Academic results are one of the more tangible, but by no means the only, factor (see ‘What to look for in an independent school’ on page 7). A list of grammar schools is also included by way of comparison. Please take care in using these tables. Many independent schools have adopted iGCSEs which are not recognised by government and so score zero in the tables or their results are skewed.

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson watches Gordon Brown play politics over troop numbers, and sets out why we need a proper debate on 50p tax. James Forsyth says that the Gurkha victory is a victory for the House, and wonders what the Tories' policy on Trident is. Peter Hoskin reports on the ID card scrap, and says that Brown's position is getting more and more unstable. Toby Young tells the story of his bicycle accident. Daniel Korski honours our soldiers. Etan Smallman reveals the changing face of the super-rich. Martin Bright observes the first outing of the Clegg-Cameron coalition. Clive Davis writes on Obama's 100 days and the limits of power. Alex Massie makes some suggestions for a foreign policy film festival.

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which – provided your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there’s no need to stay ‘on topic’ – which means you’ll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There’s also no constraint on the length of what you write – so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything’s fair game – from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

The beat goes on Sir: I read with growing rage James Delingpole’s column (You know it makes sense, 18 April). After castigating the policing of the G20 demonstrations, he takes the opportunity to list a number of actions the police have taken in recent times that he objects to. But some context is required. I have worked for nearly 20 years in a large metropolitan police force which deals with nearly 2,000 incidents a day on average. We arrest hundreds of people, and respond to thousands of calls for help and assistance. Nearly 4,000 of us do this — regular police officers, special constables (and sorry, James — they do have full police powers and those you accused of not saving a drowning boy were not special constables), community support officers and police staff.

Here's a selection of the Budget-related posts that have been made on Coffee House today: Coffee House live blogged Alistair Darling's Budget statement here. Matthew d'Ancona sets out the politics of the 50p tax rate, and wonders whether any politicians will stand up for aspiration. Fraser Nelson reveals what the Treasury told lobby journalists, and sets out the top ten Brownies in the Budget. James Forsyth thinks that the 50p tax rate is a diversionary joke, and highlights the Tory line on tax. Peter Hoskin laments Alistair Darling's dodgy forecasts, and says that Labour's debt crisis has become a catastrophe. Lloyd Evans watches David Cameron lay into the Government of the Living Dead. Norman Lamont says that the Red Book doesn't put the public finances on a sustainable path.

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which – provided your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there’s no need to stay ‘on topic’ – which means you’ll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There’s also no constraint on the length of what you write – so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything’s fair game – from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

Liddle’s Lent Sir: As someone who is employed by and works within the Church of England I have been waiting 20 years to see an article like Rod Liddle’s (‘The C of E has forgotten its purpose’, 11 April) appearing in a major British publication. He is accurate in nearly everything he says. The current church is sadly lacking in leaders of any serious Christian commitment, passion or confidence in the gospel. It is as if they prefer any religion to the Christian one, which they have pledged to ‘defend and stand for’ in their ordination vows. Bring back Bishop Nazir-Ali and sack the liberal self-loathing secularised bishops!