Teresa May to end ban on Grammar schools part 2

[sandyholme]

continuation of thread !

Selective education promotes social segregation. There seems to be an assumption that everyone would use it 'if they could afford it'. We can afford it and there is no way I would ever promote social segregation to my children in this way. We're not all 'jealous' - theres a whole host of parents who are very happy with state education and would not consider selective education for their own personal values, nothing to do with affording it or not. My friends who moan to me about what a pain it is having to end their summer hols early so they can put their child through a few weeks' intensive tutoring for the entry exam dont get my sympathy im afraid - they have the luxury of choice. Paid for/ no fee selection does not automatically = 'better'

We can all aspire to get every school in the country to be like fab with millions of GCSE options and extra curricular activities but I suspect it will not actually be financial affordable. Bottom line is, it won't be cost effective.

Maybe instead of grammar schools we can have academic learning hubs, where there are centralised resources to provide extra GCSE options, specialist lectures, access to field experts, trips etc for every school to send their most capable children to spend part of their time at? I don't think the current comprehensive system serves the most academicly able children well, or else surely they will be more state school children in Oxbridge? I think a lot of able children are thriving despite of school and not because of school, and can achieve so much more if the opportunities are there. They should not losing out to the privileged private kids because at their local comp they get a so so education with no way out.

Goose/ Always come on to the 'Praise for Comprehensive school thread'

Socks everyone is free to spend their own money how they see fit, but May's attempts to perpetuate the division this approach causes is very unhelpful. I would disagree strongly that 'most' people can afford the additional tutoring (and you seem well informed about my finances). Depends what circles you move in. As for my morals, theyre working ok for me thanks, firmly rooted in ensuring that my children get the most out of their state education and don't grow up feeling superior to any others. I have seen it for myself how some children in fee paying / selective ed remark to other children that theyre jealous of them because they're at a 'better' school. It ain't pretty.

Draylon is correct why the social division we want our dcs to be able to mix with people from different backgrounds having seperate schools would fuel segregation and stigmatise those that don't get into GS. I support ability differentiation in classes but want all dcs to go to the same school