Should or will Labour abolish Grammar Schools?

[redexrt123]

So Labour have already confirmed that they will add VAT to private school fees as one of their key tax policies. Firstly they hope to raise revenue to fund improvements in state schools. Secondly, many in Labour are ideologically opposed to private schools as they believe they create two tier educational system that fosters social inequality, as most parents simply do not have the option to send their kids private. One of the problems with the new policy from a tax revenue perspective, is that some, perhaps many, parents who can just about afford current fees may decide to send their kids to State school. This could be just for primary or sixth form or could be for their full education. In any event the new policy is likely to increase the demand for state schooling. In particular as head teachers of grammar schools have already indicated, it is likely to increase the demand for entry into grammar schools. As grammar schools have a selective intake, they tend to have the best exam results in the state sector (although not nessarily the best Attainment 8 scores) making them an attractive alternative to private education for many. Labour have not stated that they will abolish Grammar schools (by which I mean abolish selective academic entry) but they have been and still are opposed to the creation of new Grammar schools. Indeed many of the reasons why the Left are opposed to Private schools apply equally to Grammar schools. They create a two -tier educational system. Grammars have less poorer students (i.e. Kids on free school meals) than your typical comprehensive. Richer parents can game entry for their children as they can more readily afford private tuition for entrance exams.

So do you think Labour should turn Grammar schools into comprehensives? More importantly, do you think they will do so in the next parliament?

It never was on just aptitude. It’s always been easier for privileged children to get into grammar school than less privileged ones.

I assume grammar schools have less antisocial/class room behavioral issues.
Less need for OTT rules and regulations.

DS admitted this to me. There was bullying at primary and secondary.

In his primary it was quite common to get "beaten up" and physical fights were not dealt with.

In secondary DS walloped a bully who'd been teasing him for months on end. School were sympathetic to DS and punished others who bullied him but he himself was suspended. Physical violence was a no no.

But not everything is set. Early years at secondary have lots of lessons where you’re in your form, not set. Even at GCSE years, some subjects aren’t popular enough to have multiple classes of different abilities.