New tricks 1

I did not recognise the teaching accreditation "modulettes" that Thomas Docherty describes ("To provide teaching quality, we must get back to our roots", 9 July).

Far from "demanding allegiance" to techniques and skills, our Certificate in Learning and Teaching aims to encourage debate among entrants to the profession so that their work is not simply based on what they have learnt from senior colleagues or remember from their own learning.

Apprenticeship may be one route to "superb teaching", but it is by no means the only one, nor is it likely to flourish in the current climate. Docherty seeks to empower teachers: accreditation seeks to do the same, but recognises wider sources of inspiration than the "old academy".

Jackie Gresham, Director, Learning and Teaching Services, University of Sheffield.