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Tories to reject grammar schools Tories to reject grammar schools
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives are to abandon their support for grammar schools by saying academic selection is unfair to poorer families and limits social mobility.The Conservatives are to abandon their support for grammar schools by saying academic selection is unfair to poorer families and limits social mobility.
Education spokesman David Willetts told the BBC that middle-class children dominated the grammar intake, saying "not many poor children" got in.Education spokesman David Willetts told the BBC that middle-class children dominated the grammar intake, saying "not many poor children" got in.
Instead he wants to see more academy schools, saying it should be easier to set up and sponsor such schools.Instead he wants to see more academy schools, saying it should be easier to set up and sponsor such schools.
But he told the BBC that existing grammar schools would not be axed.But he told the BBC that existing grammar schools would not be axed.
Ahead of a speech to the Confederation of British Industry, Mr Willetts firmly distanced the party from grammar schools - arguing that any 11-plus selection is heavily weighted in favour of middle-class families.Ahead of a speech to the Confederation of British Industry, Mr Willetts firmly distanced the party from grammar schools - arguing that any 11-plus selection is heavily weighted in favour of middle-class families.
In his speech he will say it is "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 can be fair.In his speech he will say it is "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 can be fair.
'Shockingly low''Shockingly low'
This marks a clear separation for David Cameron's Conservatives from the party's traditional sympathies for the selective system.This marks a clear separation for David Cameron's Conservatives from the party's traditional sympathies for the selective system.
In the last general election, Michael Howard promised that grammars would "survive and thrive" under the Tories - and in the subsequent leadership contest, David Davis argued for the creation of more grammar schools.In the last general election, Michael Howard promised that grammars would "survive and thrive" under the Tories - and in the subsequent leadership contest, David Davis argued for the creation of more grammar schools.
The experiences children have had by the age of 11 are so different that it is a fantasy that you can somehow fairly distinguish between them at that age David WillettsTory education spokesman The experiences children have had by the age of 11 are so different that it is a fantasy that you can somehow fairly distinguish between them at that age David WillettsTory education spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6660537.stm">Analysis: Why the Tory shift?
Mr Willetts will say the Tories can use legislation "left behind" by the outgoing prime minister to push his academies much further forward than his probable successor Gordon Brown "would ever dare to do".Mr Willetts will say the Tories can use legislation "left behind" by the outgoing prime minister to push his academies much further forward than his probable successor Gordon Brown "would ever dare to do".
Rather than helping bright children from poor backgrounds, Mr Willetts believes grammar schools are dominated by better-off families.Rather than helping bright children from poor backgrounds, Mr Willetts believes grammar schools are dominated by better-off families.
"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 will tell business leaders."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 will tell business leaders.
"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 will say the numbers of poorer children getting into grammar schools is "shockingly low", although the Conservatives will not abolish existing ones.He will say the numbers of poorer children getting into grammar schools is "shockingly low", although the Conservatives will not abolish existing ones.
The willingness of ambitious middle-class parents to put time and money into extra tuition for their children means that it is impossible to create a fair test to select children at the age of 11, Mr Willetts will say.The willingness of ambitious middle-class parents to put time and money into extra tuition for their children means that it is impossible to create a fair test to select children at the age of 11, Mr Willetts will say.
'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 will say."[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 will say.
But to encourage the rapid expansion of academies, he will say that 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 will say that 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.
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. 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.
Backbench revolt
However, he has caused concern among Tory backbenchers who say they will challenge his policy at a meeting later on Wednesday.
Conservative right-wing MPs have described the policy as "ridiculous" and "absurd" and complained that there had been no debate within the party about opposing academic selection.
MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the Cornerstone group 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."
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.
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.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.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.Teachers' unions have argued they are too expensive, their benefits are unproven and that they give undue influence to private sponsors.