Borough ‘one of few places’ where more grammars will work
SOLIHULL has been named as one of just six local authorities which “passed a series of sensible tests” for where new grammar schools should be created, a think tank has found.
The Education Policy Institute tested areas against four criteria, which it said were consistent with the principles laid out in the Government’s “schools that work for everyone” consultation.
It looked for local authorities made up of a significant number of areas where new or expanded grammar schools would:
Not be to the detriment of pupils who do not attend the school;
Not undermine existing high performing non-selective schools; Be in high demand from parents; Have enough pupils attending within a reasonable travel distance.
The think tank said only six out of 152 authorities – Solihull, Essex, North Yorkshire, Dorset, Northamptonshire and
The report concluded if the Government wanted to use the set of tests laid out by the institute, they would find creating new grammar school places challenging.
It added: “Expanding existing grammar schools is likely in a majority of such areas to reduce the average attainment of disadvantaged pupils and is therefore unlikely to improve social mobility.
“A more promising approach in the most disadvantaged areas may therefore be to focus on increasing the quality of existing non-selective school places.”
Dr Mary Bousted, of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “Once again, the Education Policy Institute has come up with the right questions about the Government’s desire to increase grammar schools.
“The answers in their report must make uncomfortable reading for ministers.
“Faced with the overwhelming evidence from research and from the evidence of the current effects of selection in England, a government interested in evidence-based policy would back off from a bad idea.”
But a Department for Education spokesman denied the findings of the report.
He said: “This report is highly speculative. We held a consultation to establish how we can create more good school places for children of all backgrounds by removing the ban on grammar schools and this report is a crude attempt to second guess what that consultation will conclude.
“Independent organisations have recognised the transformative impact grammar schools can have on the lives of disadvantaged young people.”