We asked MNers to take a survey telling us what they think about more grammar schools in England, and you said...

[RowanMumsnet]

...that 37% of you support the idea of more grammars in England, 40% of you oppose the idea, and 23% of you aren't sure what you think.

You can find out more about the results here. But basically, if you've got the impression from the many threads about the issue that MNers are deeply divided on it - it would appear that you're not wrong.

Thanks to all who took part in the survey.

MNHQ

I suppose it was a survey of people who like signing up to take surveys rather than a survey of mumsnetters in general.

I have no strong feelings about Grammar schools either way. You do what's best for your child, but imo, the problem with education in this country, is that the one size fits all approach is failing.
I didn't see the survey either.

I do think there would have been a problem. There are some very active grammar school debate threads, AFAIK mostly populated by highly motivated people with an "anti" viewpoint. (I don't frequent them myself because although I'm anti I'm not highly motivated and I find it all too depressing). One post of "MNHQ are doing a poll. Quick, everyone get over and vote!" would have played havoc with any attempt to get a representive sample.

What it does raise is "what's the definition of a MNer?" Posters? Lurkers? Compers who've signed up because they want to win something?

David I think I probably fit your description of the antis on those threads!! I completely agree with you however. I assumed that Mumsnet had contacted a random sample of the membership.
We already have a YouGov poll with fairly conclusive results.

"the problem with education in this country, is that the one size fits all approach is failing"

Children are less likely to leave school without qualifications than ever before, and functional illiteracy among the under 20's is the lowest it's ever been.

And there is no 'one size fits all' system, as evidenced by successful comprehensives which achieve great results with students from across the ability range. They achieve this through differentiated strategies and approaches and by flexible and responsive setting.

I think I am opposed to Grammar schools because they, IMO, promote kids to higher jobs on the basis of book learning. Well to my mind, a true education starts from the basics, from the bottom. While you learn your 'trade', 'skill', whatever it is, what you learn at the bottom of the ladder is invaluable and hopefully, will give you a greater insight into the whole picture of your career.

I also hope that working your way up is part of the school of life and youth develop an insight into a working population and the value of each job we all take part in.

I don't think that this present system is failing because of the 'one size fits all'! It is failing because our teacher have classes who have more than one main language!

I went to a secondary modern school, my kids went to an Academy and although they have done fairly well, they have had to work hard to do so, I consider my education to be superior! I have only once failed to get a job I applied for and at over 60 I think that is something to be bloody proud of, (and that was Asda!, well, your big mistake!). If our education system is failing it is not because of lack of grammar schools, the problem is far more complex than that.

threesheets
you NEED to read the link
you wont like it
but you need to