How they axed all local grammars

IN THE 1950s, Middlesbrough and Redcar had several grammar schools, which recruited bright local children via the 11-plus exam.

But they all turned comprehensive in the 1960s and 1970s as selective education fell victim to Left-wing accusations of elitism.

Middlesbrough’s St Mary’s College Roman Catholic Grammar School, which counted musician Chris Rea among its alumni, converted to a sixth form college in the 1960s. It then closed down in 2011.

There was also Acklam Hall Grammar School for boys, based in a historic build- ing in Middlesbrough and catering for 540 pupils.

In 1968 it merged with Kirby Girls’ Grammar School to form Acklam High School, a comprehensive that took both girl and boy pupils.

In Redcar, there was the all-girls Cleveland Grammar School, but this merged with the all-boys Sir William Turner’s Grammar School in 1975 to also become a co-ed comprehensive.

Recent government data shows that the nearest grammar school to Middlesbrough is now more than 30 miles away.