Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan told The Sun that she would be “asking how the Government will ensure that those areas of the country where results continue to be poor and expectations low, will benefit from the change in policy”.
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But her ideas were attacked by leading figures including the head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, who accused her of trying to “put the clock back”.
“Far from actually having the One Nation education policy based on meritocracy, which is what they are talking about, actually we are going to have a more unequal education system”, said the Tory MP in an interview with The Times.
But critics say allowing new grammar schools means creating a two tier system, and risks children being branded as “failures” at the age of 11.
At a press conference at the end of last week, May made it clear that she did not intend to build a system to accommodate a return to the much maligned 11-plus and secondary modern school.
Many politicians, teachers and campaigners have spoken out against the selective process and argue that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to fare badly compared to their better-off, well-supported peers.
In addition, selective schools must sponsor an existing underperforming, non-selective academy school.
Ms Morgan’s comments follow expressions of concern from other influential members of Mrs May’s own Conservative Party, including Commons Education Committee chair Neil Carmichael and Health Committee chair Sarah Wollaston, in an indication of the difficulty the PM may face forcing her radical reforms through Parliament.
Around £50 million a year is expected to be spent on the expansion plans while the government will also introduce new measures making it easier for new faith schools to open, and force universities and private schools to play a bigger role in the running of local schools.
Writing in the Daily Mail, May insisted her plans would give all parents the chance to send their children to a “great school”.
“I was incredibly lucky when I was a young girl growing up”, she said. Grammar schools depress overall educational achievement and siphon off a few better off children at the expense of the rest.
“I don’t think that’s a good message for our children”.
“I know these things will not happen overnight”.
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Wirral still has six grammar schools, including West Kirby and Wirral Grammars.
