I write further to Pat McFadden's article entitled ‘Breaking the class ceiling’ (see [2010] Gazette, 11 February, 10).

Mr McFadden asks: ‘Are we really saying that the talent and ability of young people in this country is concentrated in the 7% at private school rather than being equally spread across location, race and background?’ To my mind, this is disingenuous. The real issue is that the 93% of students not attending private school are far less likely to have been provided with the skills and tools necessary to obtain a professional qualification.

As a recent immigrant, who was educated overseas, I have no vested interest in either camp. Nevertheless, it has become quite obvious to me that state-educated students are generally less equipped for the academic challenges inherent in obtaining a professional qualification. They are also less articulate and their social skills are less developed; these are skills necessary to obtain a training contract and practice successfully thereafter.

If Mr McFadden truly wants to increase diversity in the profession, he should focus on providing young people from all backgrounds with the requisite skills. This will not be done through subsidised internships or networking functions – all of which, in my recent experience, are already freely available to the motivated – but through strong state schools that actually deliver a relevant education.

Solicitor, name and address supplied