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Cameron hits back over grammars Cameron hits back over grammars
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has attempted to calm a row with his own MPs over selection in schools, saying the debate is "entirely pointless".Conservative leader David Cameron has attempted to calm a row with his own MPs over selection in schools, saying the debate is "entirely pointless".
The MPs are angry about plans to scrap Tory support for grammar schools and selection based on academic ability.The MPs are angry about plans to scrap Tory support for grammar schools and selection based on academic ability.
Mr Cameron believes middle class children dominate the grammar school intake, shutting out children from poorer backgrounds. Mr Cameron believes middle-class children dominate the grammar school intake, shutting out children from poorer backgrounds.
But some Tory MPs are challenging the change of policy, dubbing it "absurd".But some Tory MPs are challenging the change of policy, dubbing it "absurd".
The backbenchers will voice their opposition to it at a meeting later on Wednesday, arguing there has been no debate within the party about opposing academic selection.The backbenchers will voice their opposition to it at a meeting later on Wednesday, arguing there has been no debate within the party about opposing academic selection.
'Proper standards' 'Sheep and goats'
Edward Leigh, chairman of the Cornerstone group of MPs, said: "We should not rule out state schools being able to select pupils and grammar schools have been one way of getting people out of inner city ghettos."Edward Leigh, chairman of the Cornerstone group of MPs, said: "We should not rule out state schools being able to select pupils and grammar schools have been one way of getting people out of inner city ghettos."
Mr Cameron reacted by saying: "I think this is an entirely pointless debate."Mr Cameron reacted by saying: "I think this is an entirely pointless debate."
He said history had shown that establishing grammar schools was "extremely difficult and... often leads to being very unpopular and they are then got rid of".He said history had shown that establishing grammar schools was "extremely difficult and... often leads to being very unpopular and they are then got rid of".
He added: "In 18 years of Conservative government, we didn't create a whole big number of grammar schools because parents fundamentally don't want their children divided into sheep and goats at the age of 11. He added: "In 18 years of Conservative government, we didn't create a whole big number of grammar schools because parents fundamentally don't want their children divided into sheep and goats at the age of 11."
"What parents are crying out for the Conservative Party to do - and what I'm determined we will do - is make sure there are proper standards in discipline in every school."
He repeated his pledge that existing grammar schools would not be abolished.He repeated his pledge that existing grammar schools would not be abolished.
'Left behind' legislation'Left behind' legislation
Earlier Tory education spokesman David Willetts backed Labour's controversial academy schools, saying it should be easier to set up and sponsor such institutions.Earlier Tory education spokesman David Willetts backed Labour's controversial academy schools, saying it should be easier to set up and sponsor such institutions.
He also distanced himself from the traditional Tory belief in academic selection, saying it was "fantasy" to say selection at the age of 11, which takes place in grammar schools, could be fair. Academies are non-fee paying, non-selective state schools, which operate outside the control of local education authorities and have private sponsors.
At the 2005 general election, Michael Howard promised grammars would "survive and thrive" under the Tories - and in the party leadership contest that followed, David Davis argued for the creation of more grammar schools. Mr Willetts also distanced himself from the traditional Tory belief in academic selection, saying it was "fantasy" to say selection at the age of 11, which takes place in grammar schools, could be fair.
We must break free from the belief that academic selection is any longer the way to transform the life chances of bright poor kids. David WillettsTory education spokesman Analysis: Why the Tory shift? Q&A: Grammar schools In full: Willetts speechWe must break free from the belief that academic selection is any longer the way to transform the life chances of bright poor kids. David WillettsTory education spokesman Analysis: Why the Tory shift? Q&A: Grammar schools In full: Willetts speech
But Mr Willetts argued instead in favour of academy schools, saying the Tories could use legislation "left behind" by Tony Blair to push academies further than Gordon Brown, Mr Blair's likely successor, "would ever dare to do". He said the Tories could use legislation "left behind" by Tony Blair to push academies further than Gordon Brown, Mr Blair's likely successor, "would ever dare to do".
Mr Willetts told the CBI: "We must break free from the belief that academic selection is any longer the way to transform the life chances of bright poor kids.Mr Willetts told the CBI: "We must break free from the belief that academic selection is any longer the way to transform the life chances of bright poor kids.
"We just have to recognise that there is overwhelming evidence that such academic selection entrenches advantage, it does not spread it.""We just have to recognise that there is overwhelming evidence that such academic selection entrenches advantage, it does not spread it."
He said the numbers of poorer children getting into grammar schools was "shockingly low".
The willingness of middle-class parents to put time and money into extra tuition for their children meant a fair test at age 11 was impossible to design, he said.The willingness of middle-class parents to put time and money into extra tuition for their children meant a fair test at age 11 was impossible to design, he said.
'Leafy suburbs''Leafy suburbs'
"[Academy schools] are doing well in very difficult circumstances. They show that proper academic rigour should never just be reserved for the leafy suburbs and for prosperous families. We in the Conservative Party back them wholeheartedly," Mr Willetts said."[Academy schools] are doing well in very difficult circumstances. They show that proper academic rigour should never just be reserved for the leafy suburbs and for prosperous families. We in the Conservative Party back them wholeheartedly," Mr Willetts said.
But to encourage the rapid expansion of academies, he said it should be easier for parents or other groups to set up schools and the requirement for sponsors to provide a minimum £2m should be dropped.But to encourage the rapid expansion of academies, he said it should be easier for parents or other groups to set up schools and the requirement for sponsors to provide a minimum £2m should be dropped.
Proposals also include having a single academy contract to make it easier for providers to run a nationwide network of schools, and allowing providers to run schools with streaming and "robust discipline" to show that "even in our toughest areas traditional teaching works".Proposals also include having a single academy contract to make it easier for providers to run a nationwide network of schools, and allowing providers to run schools with streaming and "robust discipline" to show that "even in our toughest areas traditional teaching works".
He also wants to commission independent research into what teaching methods work.He also wants to commission independent research into what teaching methods work.
'No substance'
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said the policy change showed that the Tories were "desperately searching for some substance on education".Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said the policy change showed that the Tories were "desperately searching for some substance on education".
"Until David Cameron makes real, concrete commitments to smaller class sizes, greater investment to help pupils who fall behind and a revised modern curriculum his claims to care about social mobility will continue to ring hollow."
Chancellor's support
Meanwhile, left-wing Labour MPs and teachers' unions had hoped Gordon Brown would abandon the academies initiative, which they have branded the "privatisation" of state education.Meanwhile, left-wing Labour MPs and teachers' unions had hoped Gordon Brown would abandon the academies initiative, which they have branded the "privatisation" of state education.
But on Tuesday, the chancellor gave his backing to the scheme, telling the BBC it was "right" that wealthy individuals "put something back into the community".But on Tuesday, the chancellor gave his backing to the scheme, telling the BBC it was "right" that wealthy individuals "put something back into the community".
At the same time, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the government would "limit" the number of academies to 400.At the same time, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the government would "limit" the number of academies to 400.
Academies are non-fee paying, non-selective state schools, which operate outside the control of local education authorities and have private sponsors.
The government is seeking to use them as a way of raising standards in the most deprived areas of England.
Teachers' unions have argued they are too expensive, their benefits are unproven and that they give undue influence to private sponsors.