Schools minister Nick Gibb has said that new grammar schools will “go beyond” the curriculum taught in non-selective state schools, offering their pupils a more “intensive academic education”.
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“With class sizes soaring, unqualified teachers in our schools and tuition fees going up again there’s no shortage of problems in education for the Prime Minister to have given a speech on, that she’s chosen to focus on this old, discredited policy shows exactly how she intends to govern: for the few”.
But the plans were criticised by leading figures including Ofsted’s Chief Inspector of Schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw, who accused her of trying to “put the clock back” in a way which would halt momentum towards better results in the state system.
Mrs May should instead build on the academy and free school reforms pursued under David Cameron, which were creating “a truly comprehensive school system in which every child is able to achieve excellence”, the former education secretary said.
BBC education editor Branwen Jeffreys said the government could struggle to get the plans through parliament with divisions within the Conservative party already becoming apparent.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mrs May said her educational experiences made her the woman she is today.
If grammar schools can join independent schools in being the engines of social mobility, then that’s something to look forward to, but there is a need for research to establish whether the emotional belief in their social benefit can be proven.
Labour have pledged to fight the grammar school plans “every step of the way”, while Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron predicted the “out-of-date, ineffective approach” would be defeated in the House of Lords, where Mrs May does not enjoy a majority.
“I was incredibly lucky when I was a young girl growing up”, she said.
“However I am concerned that they are not being used for the goal they were created for – which is to give children from poorer backgrounds a better chance at life. And I think once people see the proposals and the conditions that apply on grammar schools that want to expand and those schools that want to adopt selection criteria, my view is that it will be very persuasive”. I know these things will not just happen overnight. They require bold decisions and a lot of hard work, and no doubt there will be opposition to overcome. How can a meritocratic Britain let this situation stand?
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.
Plans include forcing private schools to open or sponsor a local state school, or risk loosing hefty tax breaks, and letting new faith schools select pupils exclusively on religious beliefs.
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The Sutton Trust education think-tank said the Government must ensure that grammar schools do more to attract disadvantaged pupils, warning that existing grammars are “highly socially selective” because of the ability of wealthier parents to use private tutors and prep schools to improve their children’s chances of a place.
