The Politics of Grammar Schools

[GiftedPhoenix]

I thought some mumsnet readers would be interested in my latest post, which is about grammar schools, especially their record in admitting high-attaining children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

giftedphoenix.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/the-politics-of-selection-grammar-schools-and-disadvantage/

The selection issue has been bubbling away in the media and this looks set to continue next week, as the Conservatives come under increased pressure from within their own party to include a commitment to new grammar schools in the Tory Election manifesto.

I wanted to explore what progress our remaining 163 grammar schools are making towards 'fair access', so providing a benchmark against which to judge political claims that they might be engines of social mobility. I'm not concerned with research on their historical record in this respect, but with evidence of recent reform.

Miele
I'd have moved during the ten years of DDs life before having to face the 11+
I'm pretty sure she would have passed it
but as DH works in quite a few Grammar and SecMod schools I would not want to participate in that system

I like the comps in this county.
My local one is dire, but most of the others are not so I and most of my neighbours have exercised our choice
but it did not involve tutoring or testing or entrance exams

Well, I wouldn't send my child to a crop school.

I just don't think that comprehensive and crap are synonyms......

portico
The children should be motivated to a certain degree by their parents or carers. If they are not who would want to send their children to a school where a significant proportion of students are disinterested in learning, and it's associated disruptions.

So basically you do not give a flying what happens to low achievers so long as you do not have to sully your view with them.

Yes I would.

But then I don't believe that any school is completely crap. There is not a school in the country which takes in bright kids and turns them into failures.

Hakluyt

It is not always that clear cut. There are shades of grey. Scratch the surface and ofsted results don't mean anything to anyone beyond school staff and league perceptions. If Miele72 feels that the core hygiene factors of respect or behaviour are not met, then why should see send her child there.

Sorry Miele72. I purposely sought grammar, but two of my local comps are in special measures. It was also a no brainer for me to choose an out of county super se.ective grammar for my child.

Portico, maybe you should sort out your possessive apostrophes and the difference between dis- and un- interested before you launch your 11+ tutoring material!

As I said, Miele- so all the comprehensives in your area are OFSTED rated 4? And no one goes to university?

Miele - that's unfortunate for your son, but it doesn't mean that the school is completely crap. Unless you can prove that every child failed.

Talkinpeace

I was a governor in a school that was in special measures, when I joined. I was part of a great team of students, teachers, parents and governors that turned it around. So I do care.

But given the choice, I would not inflict the local comps on my children. We have come across the unpleasant language and actions of a small but influential feral bunch to know that we should not their school with a barge pole.

Hakluyt. Before you go any further I do not equate comprehensives and crap as synonyms. I just equate it for my local ones.

hak pulling people up on their grammar and spelling is really shitty!

So you know very little about the "crap" schools? You didn't read the OFSTED reports or visit them?

So your while argument is based on what exactly? Gossip? Uninformed views of a handful of people?

Apologies Hal. I will type more slowly, and I will also sense check posts before posting. Genuinely, I am not being flippant.

Apologies Hak.

Ps, I will use my laptop instead of my phone.

Talkin exercising your choice is the same whether an exam,selective housing or picking one school over another is involved.

It is all parental choice.

"Hak. Didn't read the ofsted reports. Didn't look at university places."

So how do you know the schools are "crap", then?

Word. Yes, I agree. In 99.99999 % of cases. This is the .00001%

Tell us what you saw.

I disagree.

There are posters with SEN. There are posters with a poor education. There are posters who do not speak English as their first language.

Their views are valid.

So what do you define as "crap" then?

Sooooooo she visited several schools and was allowed to reject any of them as long as she didn't pick the grammar.

Madness,I visited several and rejected the all singing,all dancing comp loads appeal to get into.It seems to be ok to reject schools if you're going to another comp(good or outstanding obviously).