Newcastle North MP, and Education Select Committee member, Catherine McKinnell has again challenged the Schools Minister on the Government’s proposal to lift a ban on new grammar schools, introduced by the last Labour Government in 1998.
Questioning him during his appearance before the Select Committee this morning, the Tyneside MP grilled the Minister about the lack of data to support this controversial policy, and the overwhelming evidence presented to the Committee by academic experts about the detrimental impact of grammars on pupils’ attainment in the local area who do not gain entry to these schools.
Catherine also questioned the Minister about the Government’s failure to mention Special Educational Needs (SEN) in its Green Paper, and the need for new grammar schools when 85% of schools are currently rated good or outstanding.
The Newcastle North MP went on to raise concerns on the issue during this afternoon’s debate on selective education in the Commons, commenting:
‘The Government’s approach to grammar schools appears to be trying to have their cake and eat it.
‘They want to talk about grammar schools, and increasing their number, but not about the side effect of that which is recreating secondary moderns. There is not one study which shows that children are better off in secondary moderns.’
She later said:
‘To quote statistics about children selected to go to selective schools to have a selective education, is not really a measure of the best solution, or the best education, for all children in this country.’
Commenting after the debate, Catherine stated:
‘It’s clear that the Government is desperately scrabbling around to find some evidence to support the creation of new grammar schools, when it doesn’t exist.
‘The Minister was totally unable to explain why grammars are necessary when so many of our schools are good or outstanding – or how this policy will help to address the vast array of real challenges facing our schools.
‘I want every child to the have the best possible education, in a system that is fit for the 21st century. Sadly, yet again, the Government is focused entirely on structures and ensuring our education system works only for a select few. ’