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Schools 'a key test' says Cameron Cameron steps up grammars attack
(10 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has warned the row over grammar schools will demonstrate whether the Tories are fit to form a government. Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that the row over grammar schools was a "key test" of whether the party was fit for government.
Writing on the Tory party's website, Mr Cameron said the issue was a "key test for an aspiring party of government". He said the issue would show whether the Tories were now "an aspiring party of government" or whether they were to be a "right wing debating society".
He said critics from within the party would consign the Tory party to being a "right wing debating society muttering about what might have been". Critics were "splashing around in the shallow end of the educational debate".
The Tories plan to scrap support for grammar schools. There has been anger in the party at the dropping of the idea that selective schools could help social mobility.
Mr Cameron also said that the critics within the party are "splashing around in the shallow end of the educational debate" and "clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life". Writing on the Conservative Party website, Mr Cameron also accused critics of "clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life".
Instead of grammar schools, Mr Cameron has promised more city academies - the privately-sponsored state schools championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and more streaming and setting by ability. Middle class
The Tory leader's comments come amid unhappiness from some Tory MPs and supporters over the end of support for academic selection. Instead of grammar schools and selection by academic ability, Mr Cameron has promised more city academies - the privately-sponsored state schools championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and more streaming and setting within schools by ability.
The Conservative leader's comments come amid unhappiness from some Tory MPs and supporters over the end of support for academic selection.
There are 164 grammar schools in England - choosing pupils by academic ability at the age of 11 - with 10 local education authorities considered to be fully selective.There are 164 grammar schools in England - choosing pupils by academic ability at the age of 11 - with 10 local education authorities considered to be fully selective.
Mr Cameron said last year that there would be "no return" to the 11 plus exam or more new grammar schools.
Conservative education spokesman David Willetts went further last week however when he said that selection by ability at age 11 did not work, or help social mobility.
He said this was because middle class parents could coach a less bright child to do better at age 11 than a bright child from a less well-off background.
There are no plans to change the status of any of the existing grammar schools.