More grammars isn’t the answer

The debate about grammar schools has arisen again, especially in Kent. With all the millions of words, there are two things which aren’t being said.

One is the modern feeling that if you don’t “pass for grammar” you are somehow a basket case! As part of the post-war generation, I took my 11-plus and failed.

It was one of the best things that ever happened to me! I went to a superb new secondary modern, in the Fifties. It was fantastic, so well equipped, it couldn’t be bettered.

There were masses of practical classrooms, catering for every subject under the sun, acres of playing fields, tennis and netball courts, running tracks, football fields, and a staff of excellent teachers.

In a period when the school leaving age was 15, we had a fifth form, where you could do O-levels. I had the time of my life.

Another elephant in the room, is the all important role of the home, which the socialist propaganda is ignoring. Why do middle class kids do better in life, regardless of their IQ? Because books and learning are valued.

They are read to from an early age, encouraged to respect the process of education (books are the cheapest form of children’s entertainment charity shops almost pay you to take them away).

There is structure, respect and moderation, and kids are taught selfdiscipline at an early age. They are given space to be quiet and think, and do their homework.

The TV isn’t on 24/7 and on their days out they are taken to castles and museums, and re-enactments, and family days at bird and nature reserves.

Conflicts are resolved by measured discussion, not who can yell the loudest, or use their fists.

In these circumstances children thrive and it isn’t much to do with money. I think we have to accept that the only way to enhance our educational achievement, as a nation, is to change our attitudes fundamentally, and stop blaming the “middle class” for everything.

China and India, and other developing nations are churning out millions of highly qualified graduates and students onto the world stage, with which we have to compete. It isn’t to do with privilege, but attitudes.

I heard a man from India talking on a TV programme and he said the parents only eat a good meal every other day to send his son to a good school. That is respecting education!

I’m a retired practice nurse, and the GPs I worked for were very good at helping people with addictions. We had heartbreaking discussions with relatives whose loved ones were caught in addictions, smoking, drinking, drugs or gambling, but you only get a result when people themselves are willing to change. The same applies to education. Mrs June Gooch New Romney sculpture some years ago. It would also seem the main premise of Mary Portas’ ideas of rejuvenating a town centre was to reintroduce market stalls (run by yuppies), something that disappeared in a lot of towns, not only Ashford. So, did she come up with anything new ... NO.

All we have ended up with is a bandstand with a top on it, never mind most people questioning why it was put there in the first place.

People may hark back or reminisce about the long-gone market, but the reason that is so grasped upon is because that’s the last time Ashford had a noteworthy town centre. I would love the Kentish Express to actively go around and take pictures of Ashford today then print pictures in five years time to show what it has become.

You can almost guarantee half the hairdressers, takeaways and shisha bar will not be there. The chances are that when everything returns to normal and taking inflation into the equation, in 2026 the town centre will be full of two pound shops plus we will still be lacking a Primark. Adrian Cussens Ashford