Tag: Grammar schools

Grammar schools given £50m diversity cash have only 2% poor pupils

The Governments drive to demonstrate its commitment to diversity in our schools has rather lost its way in recent years. For example, 16 grammar schools have won a share of a £50 Million expansion fund and yet, according to an analysis by the House of Commons Library, they have some of the worst records of admitting disadvantaged pupils.

The schools in receipt of the extra funding were announced last week and in order to qualify for the additional funding they had to submit a plan that would demonstrate how they would increase the proportion of poorer pupils in their schools. It’s worth remembering that grammar schools are not supposed to be for the privileged only, the private education sector is there to cater for those privileged enough to be able to pay for their children’s education.

However, figures on the schools’ admission of poor children has cast doubt on whether they were as committed to diversifying their intake as they claimed. These figures demonstrated that, on average, only 2% of pupils at the 16 approved schools were eligible for free school meals, which is generally considered the measure of child poverty in schools. For balance, it’s worth noting that, on average, pupils claiming free school meals at all schools in England is around 15%, with annual variations around this figure.

So, how do we tackle the lack of diversity in our grammar schools? Do we allow them to continue to be elitist institutions where entry is based on privilege rather than ability? To those who would argue that grammar schools have an entrance test and so are selective only on ability and not financial circumstances I would ask in that case how do you defend the position that only 2% of pupils in these schools come from a poor background? Is there a suggestion that poor pupils are not bright, are not academic, or not capable of learning at a grammar school level? Or, is this further evidence that the entry system to some of our grammar schools is flawed and based, in some cases, more on privilege that we like to admit?

If we are to ensure that our schooling system, both grammar schools and the academies, are to meet the needs of future generations then we need to ensure that school pupils experience diversity from a young age so they are adequately prepared for the work force of the future.

If we continue to endorse an elitist grammar system, where only the privileged can attended, then we further perpetuate the problems that we currently have in our society. As such, rather than challenge issues of inclusion, ignorance, acceptance and tolerance we naively allow the problems to carry on for a future generation to resolve.

What are your thoughts on this? Should grammar schools be forced to increase diversity in their ranks or should the grammar school system continue to be a stronghold of the well off in society? Answers on a postcard….

JD

Grammar schools and faith schools get green light to expand

It’s well known that Grammar Schools do little for social mobility and the Government announcing its decision to green light the expansion of both Grammar and faith schools is concerning for various reasons.

Firstly, the Academy process has yet to prove its worth in comprehensive education. In fact, we have no definitive proof that the forced academisation of schools has made any improvements whatsoever. What we do hear about is how much Principals, Executive Principals and CEO’s are earning per annum rather than their actual impact on learner outcomes. As such, Government policy on education is yet to demonstrate competence.

Secondly, often, our Government policy makers were privately educated, or at best went to a Grammar school. Very few attended what you and I would call a normal comprehensive education and yet they are making the policy, in this case expanding they type of schooling they perceive to be the best, in this case ‘selective’. In fact, just 7% of the population attend independent fee-paying schools but half of the current Conservative cabinet were privately educated. That said, that’s better than the military where 71% of top military officers were privately educated as were 61% of doctors, anyway I digress.

Sure, outcomes are better from Grammar and faith schools but they will be when you consider that Grammar schools select only the highest achievers – they are guaranteed success. In fact, I spoke with an Ofsted inspector recently who said the worst teaching he had ever witnessed was at a Grammar school… two hours of didactic, teacher led regurgitation which saw learners passively write word for word in their books.. no engagement, no active learning, nothing. But, the head teacher waved the 98% A-C outcomes in front of the inspector and his hands were tied… outstanding school. However, faith schools are effectively being selective in their own right which not only harms integration it is allowing ‘back door selection’ where some parents can ensure their children don’t mix with those outside of their perceived community.

Clearly, this is a divisive topic but what is clear is by expanding selective education we are damaging social integration and furthering a two tier education system. How does selective education further Government aims of improving equality, diversity and inclusion?

Interesting article here from the BBC regarding the Governments decision to allow further Grammar and faith schools.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44067719

JD