This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6699211.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tory reprimanded over grammars | Tory reprimanded over grammars |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| A frontbench Conservative MP has been "severely reprimanded" by the party's chief whip after suggesting selective schools can boost overall standards. | A frontbench Conservative MP has been "severely reprimanded" by the party's chief whip after suggesting selective schools can boost overall standards. |
| Graham Brady was told to stick to his brief as Europe spokesman. | Graham Brady was told to stick to his brief as Europe spokesman. |
| The Altrincham and Sale West MP spoke out in defence of grammar schools in the row caused by the party's decision to turn against selection by ability. | |
| He released data to the Times, suggesting areas with selective schools got better exam results. | He released data to the Times, suggesting areas with selective schools got better exam results. |
| Party leader David Cameron has promised more city academies - the privately sponsored state schools championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and more streaming and setting within existing schools. | Party leader David Cameron has promised more city academies - the privately sponsored state schools championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and more streaming and setting within existing schools. |
| Graham would not have been doing his job if he had not stepped in and defended the grammar schools Nigel EvansConservative MP | |
| But former grammar school pupil Mr Brady supplied data to the Times which indicated that in areas with no selective education fewer pupils get five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and maths. | But former grammar school pupil Mr Brady supplied data to the Times which indicated that in areas with no selective education fewer pupils get five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and maths. |
| "These facts appear to confirm my own experiences: that selection raises the standards for everyone in both grammar and high schools in selective areas," he told the paper. | "These facts appear to confirm my own experiences: that selection raises the standards for everyone in both grammar and high schools in selective areas," he told the paper. |
| "It is vitally important that policy should be developed with a full understanding of all of these facts, which might lead to the introduction of selection in other ways." | "It is vitally important that policy should be developed with a full understanding of all of these facts, which might lead to the introduction of selection in other ways." |
| Fellow Conservative Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, said Mr Brady should "absolutely not" be censured for speaking out. | |
| He said the way that shadow education secretary David Willetts announced the policy "looked as if it was an attack on grammar schools". | |
| '100% support' | |
| "Graham would not have been doing his job if he had not stepped in and defended the grammar schools," Mr Evans told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | |
| "But at the same time Graham is 100% behind ensuring that the academies that David Willetts and David Cameron wish to see rolled around the country is going to become a reality so that youngsters of all abilities can get the education that they deserve." | |
| Mr Evans said he himself would continue to speak out about the grammar school he attended and the one in his constituency, but was also going to support the party's policy. | |
| "We are all getting behind the policy of ensuring that we're now going to concentrate and focus on those schools, those areas where youngsters are looking for a good education but at the moment it's not happening." | |
| A number of newspapers cite Conservative Party sources as suggesting Mr Brady may be axed from his role in a party reshuffle expected this summer. |