Grammars growth looms but debate is fierce as ever
Kent could be in the vanguard of a new wave of grammar school expansions as the government sets out its plans for a shake-up.
But the prospect of a new generation of selective schools continues to divide opinion and there are signs the reforms could struggle to get on the statute books.
There are also concerns conditions imposed on new grammars to ensure they attract brighter poorer children may be too bureaucratic and some academy chains say they are not interested in the idea.
Education secretary Justine Greening told MPs this week that the policy was a meritocratic one: “We want selective schools to raise standards for everyone. Selective schools are good for everyone – particularly the most disadvantaged.”
She added reforms were about a system that “works for everyone, not just the privileged few”.
“We will therefore look at how we can relax the rules on expanding selective schools, allow new ones to open and non-selective schools to become selective where there is demand,” she said.
Under the reforms, new grammars will have to accept a quota of poorer children or agree to sponsor a failing school.
Arrangements would have to allow those who failed the 11-plus test to apply again at 14 and at 16.
Matthew Bartlett, chairman of the Kent Grammar Schools Association, said grammars should do more to counter the image they were beyond the reach of poorer children.
He said quotas would be difficult: “The thing that works is where a school is rooted in the community and there is a positive dialogue between primaries and secondaries.”
Campaign group Kent Education Network said the 11-plus was outdated: “It is clearly false to believe the innate quality of a pupil can be accurately measured at the age of 10 or 11.
“The Kent Test measures mostly reasoning skills. It cannot determine application to work, nor potential abilities that can be inspired by ambition or love of learning.”
KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter has said the authority would push ahead with expansion proposals in west Kent even before the legislation was passed. The government has seemingly cleared the way for a grammar gold rush, but what will be the consequences for Kent?
There is unlikely to be much momentum for entirely new grammar schools – not least because they could run into opposition from non-selective schools, unions and possibly academy chains.
And the conditions placed on new ones may prove to be as much of a deterrent as an incentive.
KCC has helped push the door ajar with successful campaign for an extension to The Weald of Kent Girls Grammar School in Sevenoaks.
Politically, this could be an interesting test of the Prime Minister’s authority. She has picked a fight on a contentious issue and, if knocked back, it will be damaging.