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Theresa May 'not turning clock back on grammar schools' Theresa May defends grammar school plans
(35 minutes 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 defended plans for new or expanded grammar schools in England.
The prime minister was addressing the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers on Wednesday evening. The PM told Conservative MPs she wanted "an element of selection" in the education system, but that new grammar schools would not be forced on areas that did not want them.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the government needed to "widen choice" for parents. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the government would "widen choice" but this would not mean children who failed entry exam going to "sink schools".
Labour said creating grammar schools would lead to "social segregation".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. Mrs May's comments on Wednesday evening came after a document outlining proposals to open new grammar schools was snapped by a photographer outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.
'Sufficient choice' Addressing the 1922 committee of backbench MPs, the PM said "selection by house price" already existed within the state school system, with wealthier parents able to ensure a place for their children at high-performing schools by buying homes in the catchment area.
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 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.
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. After the Second World War secondary schools were organised into two basic types - grammar schools focused on academic studies and secondary modern schools intended for children going into trades rather than higher education.
Some argued that the selective education system reinforced class divisions and meant children were labelled "failures" at an early age - and from 1965 the then Labour government ordered local education authorities to start phasing out grammar schools and secondary moderns and replace them with non-selective comprehensive schools.
Different parts of England moved at different speeds and some local authorities - such as Kent - kept their selective systems. There are currently about 163 grammar schools in England - out of some 3,000 state secondaries - and a further 69 in Northern Ireland.
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.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Iain Watson, political correspondent Norman Smith, assistant political editor
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. Grammar schools remain a highly emotive political issue - but will form only one part of a much bigger package of school reform, that could include allowing free schools to introduce academic selection.
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. In an effort to overcome concern - including in her own party - that grammars are socially divisive, Mrs May will suggest they should only be set up where there is parental demand and priority would be given to less affluent areas.
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. Ministers also want the entry exams to be less susceptible to coaching and there may be different entry requirements for poorer pupils, and grammar schools would be expected to have close ties with local primary schools and to demonstrate they were socially inclusive and benefitted the local community.
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.
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.
Mr Fallon, whose Sevenoaks, Kent, constituency got approval for the first new "grammar school" - technically described as an annexe to an existing one - for five decades last year, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The aim is very clear - it's to have more choice for parents in every part of the country."
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". Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the government did not have a mandate to expand grammar schools, accusing it of "foisting their own evidence-free prejudices upon us".
The government's social mobility tsar, Alan Milburn, warned that a return to grammars could be "a social mobility disaster", telling The Guardian: "This is not selection educationally, it is selection socially."
The Conservative Party manifesto for 2015 promised to "allow all good schools to expand, whether they are maintained schools, academies, faith schools or grammar schools".
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.
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."
He added that if Mrs May cared about "inclusive education" she should extend free early-years education, the pupil premium and free school dinners.
What do you think about grammar schools? Are you a parent or a teacher, or a former grammar school pupil? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments and experiences.What do you think about grammar schools? Are you a parent or a teacher, or a former grammar school pupil? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments and experiences.
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