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| Theresa May and the myth of inclusive grammar schools Theresa May and the myth of inclusive grammar schools | |
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| Theresa May needs to decide whether her priority is parental choice or higher school performance for all children (Grammar schools expansion risks disaster, May is warned, 8 September). The two aren’t the same. Empirical evidence indicates that the latter is achieved by high and targeted investment in teachers and a broad curriculum that offers diverse roads to high achievement. | Theresa May needs to decide whether her priority is parental choice or higher school performance for all children (Grammar schools expansion risks disaster, May is warned, 8 September). The two aren’t the same. Empirical evidence indicates that the latter is achieved by high and targeted investment in teachers and a broad curriculum that offers diverse roads to high achievement. |
| Parental choice, even if restricted to less advantaged communities, is usually a proxy for schools exercising choice – of likely lads (and lasses). | Parental choice, even if restricted to less advantaged communities, is usually a proxy for schools exercising choice – of likely lads (and lasses). |
| International data should be examined. Finland continues to be Europe’s highest performer, with no selection and high investment in teachers. Germany is middling to poor with its continued practice, in most states, of a selective school system. I visited Eton college last year. I’d like that for everyone, without selection. Money please?Professor Margaret MadenOxford | International data should be examined. Finland continues to be Europe’s highest performer, with no selection and high investment in teachers. Germany is middling to poor with its continued practice, in most states, of a selective school system. I visited Eton college last year. I’d like that for everyone, without selection. Money please?Professor Margaret MadenOxford |
| • Why do we worry only about bright kids and grammar schools when our educational system most fails the many who are not academically inclined (Thatcher knew grammars were poison. Theresa May is playing a risky game, Simon Jenkins, 8 September)? To do so is to hasten the re-emergence of the default option, namely the discredited secondary modern. | • Why do we worry only about bright kids and grammar schools when our educational system most fails the many who are not academically inclined (Thatcher knew grammars were poison. Theresa May is playing a risky game, Simon Jenkins, 8 September)? To do so is to hasten the re-emergence of the default option, namely the discredited secondary modern. |
| What is noteworthy about those who criticise comprehensives is their coyness as to the grammar schools’ share of intake. We know that the higher the share, the greater the enthusiasm of the middle class for grammar schools. Conversely, restricting the intake to the 5% who are truly gifted as opposed to merely academically inclined will result in a waning of middle-class enthusiasm. | What is noteworthy about those who criticise comprehensives is their coyness as to the grammar schools’ share of intake. We know that the higher the share, the greater the enthusiasm of the middle class for grammar schools. Conversely, restricting the intake to the 5% who are truly gifted as opposed to merely academically inclined will result in a waning of middle-class enthusiasm. |
| This calls for a less socially divisive, tripartite secondary school system consisting of grammars and vocational institutes with high schools for the academically inclined sandwiched in-between. Selection, ideally self-selection, should occur later than age 11. | This calls for a less socially divisive, tripartite secondary school system consisting of grammars and vocational institutes with high schools for the academically inclined sandwiched in-between. Selection, ideally self-selection, should occur later than age 11. |
| What’s wrong with becoming a plumber, electrician, mechanic or joiner? Our civilisation is no less dependent on these trades than, for instance, those of banking, marketing or even legislating.Yugo KovachWinterborne Houghton, Dorset | What’s wrong with becoming a plumber, electrician, mechanic or joiner? Our civilisation is no less dependent on these trades than, for instance, those of banking, marketing or even legislating.Yugo KovachWinterborne Houghton, Dorset |
| • I was born in Surrey, at a time when the divide between grammar schools and secondary moderns defended the entrenched advantaged of middle-class children. The absence of competition based on intelligence meant this country squandered the abilities of generations of young people, in preference to the advancement of less gifted children from better-off homes. | • I was born in Surrey, at a time when the divide between grammar schools and secondary moderns defended the entrenched advantaged of middle-class children. The absence of competition based on intelligence meant this country squandered the abilities of generations of young people, in preference to the advancement of less gifted children from better-off homes. |
| The consequences can be seen everywhere today. Britain has been displaced in the world by nations with an open competitive education system. In parliament, we have several generations of politicians who advocate some ideal of a lost past, as they fail to make sense of a problematic future. | The consequences can be seen everywhere today. Britain has been displaced in the world by nations with an open competitive education system. In parliament, we have several generations of politicians who advocate some ideal of a lost past, as they fail to make sense of a problematic future. |
| We do need an education system that prevents adolescents leaving school until they can maintain themselves in modern society. Our politicians are a mirror of our collective national failings.Martin LondonHenllan, Denbighshire | We do need an education system that prevents adolescents leaving school until they can maintain themselves in modern society. Our politicians are a mirror of our collective national failings.Martin LondonHenllan, Denbighshire |
| • I do not think people who gained grammar school places, or went through a comprehensive school system, can understand the crippling effect of failing the 11-plus exam. | • I do not think people who gained grammar school places, or went through a comprehensive school system, can understand the crippling effect of failing the 11-plus exam. |
| Apart from hobbling your opportunities, it embeds deep in your mind a feeling of absolute failure no matter what you do in later life. Although I hold a doctorate, am widely published, and have taught at some of the top universities in Britain, thanks to grammar school selection there remains to this day a voice in the back of my head telling me I am a failure. It undermines everything I do. | Apart from hobbling your opportunities, it embeds deep in your mind a feeling of absolute failure no matter what you do in later life. Although I hold a doctorate, am widely published, and have taught at some of the top universities in Britain, thanks to grammar school selection there remains to this day a voice in the back of my head telling me I am a failure. It undermines everything I do. |
| Bringing back secondary moderns, whatever they want to call them now, will condemn countless others to this terrible stigma.Dr Michael ParaskosLondon | Bringing back secondary moderns, whatever they want to call them now, will condemn countless others to this terrible stigma.Dr Michael ParaskosLondon |
| • If Theresa May wants to increase social mobility through schools, here is a modest proposal: rather than increase provision for grammar schools, she should abolish private education. Until the middle classes are fully engaged in ensuring public education is effective, it will continue to be underfunded and undervalued. Labour’s big mistake in the 70s was to abolish selective state education while leaving the option open to those who could afford it.Alexander GoodLondon | • If Theresa May wants to increase social mobility through schools, here is a modest proposal: rather than increase provision for grammar schools, she should abolish private education. Until the middle classes are fully engaged in ensuring public education is effective, it will continue to be underfunded and undervalued. Labour’s big mistake in the 70s was to abolish selective state education while leaving the option open to those who could afford it.Alexander GoodLondon |
| • Melissa Benn may be missing the point (Grammar schools don’t help social mobility, 7 September). Grammar schools are popular because they exclude those from disadvantaged backgrounds whom many Conservative voters don’t wish their children to share a classroom with. Concerns about social mobility are just a red herring.William Douglas-MannPetrockstowe, Devon | • Melissa Benn may be missing the point (Grammar schools don’t help social mobility, 7 September). Grammar schools are popular because they exclude those from disadvantaged backgrounds whom many Conservative voters don’t wish their children to share a classroom with. Concerns about social mobility are just a red herring.William Douglas-MannPetrockstowe, Devon |
| • I would be fully in support of more grammar schools, providing admission is restricted to children from families with an income of less than £20,000 per year.Roland WhiteBognor, West Sussex | • I would be fully in support of more grammar schools, providing admission is restricted to children from families with an income of less than £20,000 per year.Roland WhiteBognor, West Sussex |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |