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Grammar school plans 'not a return to past' Grammar school plans 'not a return to past'
(35 minutes later)
The government will take a "pragmatic" look at new grammar schools but will not be "going back to the past", the education secretary has told MPs.The government will take a "pragmatic" look at new grammar schools but will not be "going back to the past", the education secretary has told MPs.
Justine Greening said she wanted to offer parents choice but children would not be split into "winners and losers".Justine Greening said she wanted to offer parents choice but children would not be split into "winners and losers".
She was answering an urgent question after a document proposing new grammars was photographed outside Number 10.She was answering an urgent question after a document proposing new grammars was photographed outside Number 10.
Labour said the government was showing a "dangerous misunderstanding" of issues facing schools in England.Labour said the government was showing a "dangerous misunderstanding" of issues facing schools in England.
Ms Greening said she recognised the debate over grammar schools was "emotive", saying government plans would be set out "in due course".Ms Greening said she recognised the debate over grammar schools was "emotive", saying government plans would be set out "in due course".
"There will be no return to the simplistic binary choice of the past where schools split children into winners and losers, successes and failures," she promised."There will be no return to the simplistic binary choice of the past where schools split children into winners and losers, successes and failures," she promised.
Selection can "play a role" in the education system, she said, and while grammar schools can provide a "stretching, outstanding education", they are only part of a "very broad-based school system".Selection can "play a role" in the education system, she said, and while grammar schools can provide a "stretching, outstanding education", they are only part of a "very broad-based school system".
The forthcoming policy was "absolutely not about going back to the past", she said.The forthcoming policy was "absolutely not about going back to the past", she said.
Ms Greening faced warnings from Labour about creating more grammar schools, with shadow education secretary Angela Rayner saying such a policy would do nothing to address teaching staff shortages or "super-size" classes.Ms Greening faced warnings from Labour about creating more grammar schools, with shadow education secretary Angela Rayner saying such a policy would do nothing to address teaching staff shortages or "super-size" classes.
The debate over grammar schools was sparked after a document outlining proposals to open new ones was snapped by a photographer outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.The debate over grammar schools was sparked after a document outlining proposals to open new ones was snapped by a photographer outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.
On Wednesday evening Prime Minister Theresa May 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.On Wednesday evening Prime Minister Theresa May 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.
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.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.
The government intends to publish its plans for school reform in the near future - according to the Daily Telegraph, the PM will publish a green paper and deliver a speech setting out her plans.The government intends to publish its plans for school reform in the near future - according to the Daily Telegraph, the PM will publish a green paper and deliver a speech setting out her plans.
Grammar schools are state secondaries whose pupils are selected by examination at age 10 to 11.Grammar schools are state secondaries whose pupils are selected by examination at age 10 to 11.
After the Second World War secondary schools in England were mostly 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.After the Second World War secondary schools in England were mostly 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.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.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.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.
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.
AnalysisAnalysis
Norman Smith, assistant political editorNorman Smith, assistant political editor
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
Defence Secretary Michael 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 said the government would "widen choice" but this would not mean children who failed entry exam going to "sink schools".Defence Secretary Michael 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 said the government would "widen choice" but this would not mean children who failed entry exam going to "sink schools".
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".
Former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told Today the government did not have a mandate to expand grammar schools, accusing it of "foisting their own evidence-free prejudices upon us".Former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told Today 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 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".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".
Ms Rayner added: "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."Ms Rayner added: "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."
Teaching unions attacked any expansion of grammar schools.
The National Union of Teachers described it as a "regressive move", the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said it would be a "massive distraction" and the NASUWT said government policies had already increased "covert selection, often targeted at pupils from materially deprived backgrounds".
The Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary heads, said increased selection was "education policy by nostalgia" that would not help social mobility.