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| Theresa May 'not turning clock back on grammar schools' | Theresa May 'not turning clock back on grammar schools' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Theresa May has told Conservative MPs she will not "turn the clock back" on grammar schools in England, but did not rule out some expansion. | Theresa May has told Conservative MPs she will not "turn the clock back" on grammar schools in England, but did not rule out some expansion. |
| The prime minister was addressing the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers on Wednesday evening. | The prime minister was addressing the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers on Wednesday evening. |
| Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the government needed to "widen choice" for parents. | |
| Labour said creating grammar schools would lead to "social segregation". | |
| Mrs May's announcement comes after a document outlining proposals to open new grammar schools was caught by a photographer outside Downing Street on Tuesday. | |
| 'Sufficient choice' | |
| Mr Fallon, whose Kent constituency got the first "new" grammar school for five decades last year, said: "The aim is very clear; it's to have more choice for parents in every part of the country. | |
| "We're fortunate in Kent, we have a grammar school system, they have it in Buckinghamshire as well, and parents have a choice." | |
| 'Grammar plans' caught by photographer | 'Grammar plans' caught by photographer |
| Grammar schools: What are they? | Grammar schools: What are they? |
| The government intends to publish its plans for school reform in the autumn. | The government intends to publish its plans for school reform in the autumn. |
| Grammar schools are state secondaries whose pupils are selected by examination at age 10 to 11. There are currently about 163 in England - out of some 3,000 state secondaries - and a further 69 in Northern Ireland. | Grammar schools are state secondaries whose pupils are selected by examination at age 10 to 11. There are currently about 163 in England - out of some 3,000 state secondaries - and a further 69 in Northern Ireland. |
| But under a law created by the Labour government in 1998, no new grammar schools are allowed to open in England. Education policy is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | But under a law created by the Labour government in 1998, no new grammar schools are allowed to open in England. Education policy is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By Iain Watson, political correspondent | By Iain Watson, political correspondent |
| Theresa May sought to allay the concerns of those Conservative MPs who fear that any expansion of grammar schools could leave disadvantaged children further behind. | Theresa May sought to allay the concerns of those Conservative MPs who fear that any expansion of grammar schools could leave disadvantaged children further behind. |
| She made it clear that she would not "turn the clock back" to an era when children up and down the country were separated aged 11 on the basis of academic ability. | She made it clear that she would not "turn the clock back" to an era when children up and down the country were separated aged 11 on the basis of academic ability. |
| But she also pointed out that selection still exists in the system - not just in areas such as Kent and Trafford in Greater Manchester which still have grammar schools - and, as she put it, there is selection by house price where people often pay more to live in areas with outstanding schools. | But she also pointed out that selection still exists in the system - not just in areas such as Kent and Trafford in Greater Manchester which still have grammar schools - and, as she put it, there is selection by house price where people often pay more to live in areas with outstanding schools. |
| Supporters of grammar schools were pleased that she seemed to be signalling there could be an expansion in areas where there is a demand for them and that a prohibition on new schools might well be lifted. | Supporters of grammar schools were pleased that she seemed to be signalling there could be an expansion in areas where there is a demand for them and that a prohibition on new schools might well be lifted. |
| But opponents were also satisfied that she was not advocating a radical policy of a grammar school in every town, or imposing them where they were not wanted. | But opponents were also satisfied that she was not advocating a radical policy of a grammar school in every town, or imposing them where they were not wanted. |
| Supporters of grammar schools say that children from poor backgrounds are helped to make the most of their potential because entry to such schools is on the basis of raw ability. | Supporters of grammar schools say that children from poor backgrounds are helped to make the most of their potential because entry to such schools is on the basis of raw ability. |
| But many argue that, in fact, the vast majority of those doing well in entrance tests are children whose parents have paid for them to be privately tutored outside school. | But many argue that, in fact, the vast majority of those doing well in entrance tests are children whose parents have paid for them to be privately tutored outside school. |
| Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools watchdog Ofsted, this week said the idea that poor children would benefit from a return of grammar schools was "tosh" and "nonsense". | Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools watchdog Ofsted, this week said the idea that poor children would benefit from a return of grammar schools was "tosh" and "nonsense". |
| Responding to reports of the comments by Mrs May to her MPs, Labour's shadow education secretary Angela Rayner described the Conservatives' education policy as "shambolic". | Responding to reports of the comments by Mrs May to her MPs, Labour's shadow education secretary Angela Rayner described the Conservatives' education policy as "shambolic". |
| Ms Rayner said: "The prime minister talks about social inclusion while at the same time advocating social segregation through grammar school selection. | Ms Rayner said: "The prime minister talks about social inclusion while at the same time advocating social segregation through grammar school selection. |
| "No child's life chances should be defined by a test they sit at the age of 11. The priority for our education system should be investment to raise standards not investment to create social exclusion." | "No child's life chances should be defined by a test they sit at the age of 11. The priority for our education system should be investment to raise standards not investment to create social exclusion." |
| The Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of "losing the plot" on grammar schools. | The Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of "losing the plot" on grammar schools. |
| Lib Dem education spokesman John Pugh said: "There is no such thing as inclusive grammar schools. By their very nature they exclude children who don't pass a test aged 11. | Lib Dem education spokesman John Pugh said: "There is no such thing as inclusive grammar schools. By their very nature they exclude children who don't pass a test aged 11. |
| "We want every child to succeed, not just the few." | "We want every child to succeed, not just the few." |
| He added that if Mrs May cared about "inclusive education" she should extend free early-years education, the pupil premium and free school dinners. | He added that if Mrs May cared about "inclusive education" she should extend free early-years education, the pupil premium and free school dinners. |