Grammar schools

[var12]

They aren't a magic bullet that will solve all the G&T problems, but IMO they are a fantastic step in the right direction.

I suspect that they will be up and running too late for my DC to benefit but at least other children will have the chance to do a bit more than just follow the national curriculum because that's all the school aims to do.

I never liked Theresa May, but had she let people know that she would reintroduce grammar schools, I'd have been willing to campaign for her.

hoops, even.

Have had a quick look at that report. Surely the problem is that these are all measures that matter to teachers/legislators/society in general. Which is very, very important, but matters absolutely nothing to the parent looking for a school for little Johnny/Jane. If they are likely to get marginally better grades, not to get thumped (parental perception, not reality) or whatever, then the parent will choose the school.

And realistically, a child going to grammar will, definitely, get more GCSEs than one who goes to one of our local comprehensives. So the report is right, but the parent is too. How to square that circle?

PiqueABoo Fri 23-Sep-16 13:47:41 That EPI report, especially the headlines, is a bit dire

Not sure what you mean by dire. Do you mean the research if flawed, in which case, how so?

"And realistically, a child going to grammar will, definitely, get more GCSEs than one who goes to one of our local comprehensives."

Well, that's not actually true- my secondary modern educated ds will, DV, get the same number of GCSEs as his grammar educated sister. And two BTecs on top.

Do you mean the research if flawed, in which case, how so?

Pragmatically I expect (hope) the actual paper has some caveats and less flaws than the prejudiced cherry-picking press like SW/Guardian, but these kind of reports aren't new and they're guaranteed to be flawed from the off because we just don't have a good way of establishing a solid baseline from which to measure relative performance/progress. Any given take, for or against selection, tends to slip into assumptions and assertions fairly quickly.

Just think about my five grade Cs comment. Doesn't it bother you that we have something like that to say comps are just as good for bright children as grammars? It's a bit like saying they both as good because they both have classrooms. Even if it doesn't trouble you then why do you think Wilshaw started a campaign around the 'most able' not getting enough A*/A grades?

PiqueABoo you seem to have suggested you have read the report by your comment That EPI report, especially the headlines, is a bit dire.

I've not yet read the report so perhaps you can be a little bit more specific about what the flaws of this particular report?

Comments like - Pragmatically I expect (hope) the actual paper has some caveats and less flaws - are pure airware and don't really identify the failings of that particular report.

I'm further baffled by these two comments you have made: these kind of reports aren't new and they're guaranteed to be flawed from the off & tends to slip into assumptions and assertions fairly quickly

Bertrand, I do realise that's not the case everywhere, which is why I said 'our'. Expectations are not particularly high in some schools locally.

@MumTryingHerBest, Whatever.

Here's a link especially for you, Pique. I know how fond you are of the Policy Exchange

@multivac, Whatever.

A good state secondary school for all. My dd hated the grammar school she looked at. Instead at an outstanding state comp doing 3 years of Latin 8 out 12 classes do it. Gifted class on a Friday morning before class is chosen on cat tests that can not be tutored for so is chosen for potential not tutored. V good pastarol care and SEN provision. Local grammars only good if you can keep up with the stupid workload where dd school is keen on the whole person and will accommodate issues as they arise rather than be managed out if you aquire an illness or disability