Kent cited as Ofsted chief slams ‘divisive’ grammars
Political Editor Controversial plans for new grammar schools in England have been revealed.
The news comes after Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw said Kent’s selective system was evidence that grammars did not help brighter children from poorer backgrounds.
The issue of allowing new ones has taken centre stage in the debate about the government’s education agenda after Prime Minister Theresa May hinted she may be prepared to end the ban.
The move was confirmed by Mrs May, who said she wanted to bring an element of selection back, yesterday (Thursday).
Grammar schools are accessed by youngsters who have passed the 11-plus test, although many believe there is still a postcode lottery.
At the weekend, Mrs May sidestepped the question of whether she wanted new selective schools. However, the DfE briefing note indicates it is likely.
Sir Michael said the idea a new generation of grammars would help poorer children was “palpable tosh and nonsense”.
In a speech to a conference, he said: “I appreciate many grammar schools do a fine job in equipping their students with an excellent education. But we all know their record of admitting children from non-middle-class backgrounds is pretty woeful.”
He added in a later interview: “I think we will go backwards if we return to a system where we only expect some kids to do well. Every time you create a grammar school you create three secondary moderns and no one is queueing up to go to a secondary modern.”
He went on to cite Kent – which has 33 grammars, including four in Maidstone, three in Tonbridge and Malling and four in The