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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cameron steps up grammars attack | Cameron steps up grammars attack |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that the row over grammar schools was a "key test" of whether the party was fit for government. | Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that the row over grammar schools was a "key test" of whether the party was fit for government. |
| He said the issue would show whether the Tories were now "an aspiring party of government" or whether they were to be a "right-wing debating society". | |
| Critics were "splashing around in the shallow end of the educational debate". | Critics were "splashing around in the shallow end of the educational debate". |
| There has been anger in the party at the dropping of the idea that selective schools could help social mobility. | There has been anger in the party at the dropping of the idea that selective schools could help social mobility. |
| Writing on the Conservative Party website, Mr Cameron also accused critics of "clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life". | Writing on the Conservative Party website, Mr Cameron also accused critics of "clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life". |
| 'I lead, not follow' | |
| Instead of grammar schools and selection by academic ability, Mr Cameron has promised more city academies - the privately sponsored state schools championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and more streaming and setting within schools. | |
| The Conservative leader's comments come amid unhappiness from some Tory MPs and supporters over the end of support for academic selection. | The Conservative leader's comments come amid unhappiness from some Tory MPs and supporters over the end of support for academic selection. |
| Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I lead. I don't follow my party; I lead them." | |
| He added that the Conservatives had not expanded grammar schools while in power from 1979 to 1997. | |
| Selective education was "unpopular with parents. They don't want children divided into successes and failures at 11." | |
| Mr Cameron also said: "I'm determined to do what's right for my party and the country." | |
| There are 164 grammar schools in England - choosing pupils by academic ability at the age of 11 - with 10 local education authorities considered to be fully selective. | There are 164 grammar schools in England - choosing pupils by academic ability at the age of 11 - with 10 local education authorities considered to be fully selective. |
| Mr Cameron said last year that there would be "no return" to the 11-plus exam or more new grammars. | |
| Conservative education spokesman David Willetts went further last week however when he said that selection by ability at age 11 did not work, or help social mobility. | Conservative education spokesman David Willetts went further last week however when he said that selection by ability at age 11 did not work, or help social mobility. |
| He said this was because middle class parents could coach a less bright child to do better at age 11 than a bright child from a less well-off background. | He said this was because middle class parents could coach a less bright child to do better at age 11 than a bright child from a less well-off background. |
| There are no plans to change the status of any of the existing grammar schools. | There are no plans to change the status of any of the existing grammar schools. |