This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6658613.stm
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Tories rejecting grammar schools | Tories rejecting grammar schools |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| Tory right-wing MPs have called the policy "absurd" and will challenge it. | Tory right-wing MPs have called the policy "absurd" and will challenge it. |
| Mr Willetts told the BBC that existing grammar schools would not be axed. | Mr Willetts told the BBC that existing grammar schools would not be axed. |
| Mr Willetts firmly distanced the party from grammar schools - arguing that any 11-plus selection is heavily weighted in favour of middle-class families. | 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 at the Confederation of British Industry said it was "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 could be fair. | In his speech at the Confederation of British Industry said it was "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 could 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 Analysis: Why the Tory shift? Q&A: Grammar schools class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6662219.stm">In full: Willetts speech | |
| Mr Willetts said the Tories could use legislation "left behind" by the outgoing prime minister to push academies much further forward than his probable successor Gordon Brown "would ever dare to do". | Mr Willetts said the Tories could use legislation "left behind" by the outgoing prime minister to push 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 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. | Rather than helping bright children from poor backgrounds, 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". | 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. |
| We should not rule out state schools being able to select pupils Edward Leigh, Tory MP | |
| 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. |
| Backbench revolt | Backbench revolt |
| However, his comments caused concern among Tory backbenchers who say they will challenge his policy at a meeting later on Wednesday. | However, his comments 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. | 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 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." | MP 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." |
| 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." | "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 | 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. | 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. |