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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Review of grammar abolition polls | Review of grammar abolition polls |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The system by which parents can be balloted on the future of grammar schools is to be reviewed by ministers. | The system by which parents can be balloted on the future of grammar schools is to be reviewed by ministers. |
| Since 1998, a ballot on the future of any of England's 164 remaining academically selective state schools can be held if 20% of parents want one. | Since 1998, a ballot on the future of any of England's 164 remaining academically selective state schools can be held if 20% of parents want one. |
| It is reported the review will make it easier for a vote to be triggered, but the government has not confirmed this. | It is reported the review will make it easier for a vote to be triggered, but the government has not confirmed this. |
| Schools Minister Jim Knight said he was still committed to giving parents the right to abolish selection. | Schools Minister Jim Knight said he was still committed to giving parents the right to abolish selection. |
| It's absolutely right that we keep the parental ballot arrangements under review Jim KnightSchools Minister class="" href="/1/hi/education/7033652.stm">'Read my lips': How the ballots work | |
| Mr Knight said: "We oppose new grammar schools and any new selection - a view backed by all parties' front benches. | Mr Knight said: "We oppose new grammar schools and any new selection - a view backed by all parties' front benches. |
| "There is no question of government making any decisions centrally over the future of grammar schools. | "There is no question of government making any decisions centrally over the future of grammar schools. |
| "We are firmly committed to giving local parents the right to vote to abolish selection at existing grammar schools. | "We are firmly committed to giving local parents the right to vote to abolish selection at existing grammar schools. |
| "However it's absolutely right that we keep the parental ballot arrangements under review." | "However it's absolutely right that we keep the parental ballot arrangements under review." |
| Mr Knight told a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in September that the government was looking to simplify the system. | Mr Knight told a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in September that the government was looking to simplify the system. |
| A spokeswoman at the Department for Children, Schools and Families said ministers also wanted to look at whether the polls were value for money. | A spokeswoman at the Department for Children, Schools and Families said ministers also wanted to look at whether the polls were value for money. |
| Ongoing debate | Ongoing debate |
| A Commons education committee report in 2005 suggested the ballots were so difficult to mount that they wasted public money. | A Commons education committee report in 2005 suggested the ballots were so difficult to mount that they wasted public money. |
| Campaigners opposed to grammar schools say their selective nature can be detrimental to the education of the community as a whole. | Campaigners opposed to grammar schools say their selective nature can be detrimental to the education of the community as a whole. |
| This is because they tend to take the brighter pupils, leaving non-selective state schools with a higher proportion of slower pupils. | This is because they tend to take the brighter pupils, leaving non-selective state schools with a higher proportion of slower pupils. |
| But supporters of grammar schools say they give bright, working class pupils a better chance to succeed. | But supporters of grammar schools say they give bright, working class pupils a better chance to succeed. |
| The review comes months after the Conservative Party leader David Cameron faced pressure from his party over plans to abandon support for increasing the number of grammars. | The review comes months after the Conservative Party leader David Cameron faced pressure from his party over plans to abandon support for increasing the number of grammars. |
| Instead the party said it would focus on raising standards in the 3,000 other secondary schools across the country. | Instead the party said it would focus on raising standards in the 3,000 other secondary schools across the country. |