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You reported the Institute of Education as being among "high cost" institutions marked out for special scrutiny by the Higher Education Funding Council for England specialist institution panel (THES, November 14). In fact, the institute welcomes a review of its funding because, over the past five years, HEFCE figures show that we have been funded at a much lower level than all the other institutions being scrutinised. Indeed, our funding has been considerably lower than most other institutions in the field of education. It is a remarkable tribute to my colleagues that, despite this underfunding, we have maintained our standing as a 5-star institution.

Peter Mortimore

Director, Institute of Education