New call for abolition of grammar schools

A think-tank close to Tony Blair will call for the abolition of grammar schools in a policy document due to be published next week.

The left-of-centre Institute for Public Policy Research wants to put an end to selection in the capital – thus forcing the 19 remaining grammar schools in London to abandon the 11-plus and go comprehensive.

It also wants specialist secondary schools to stop selecting pupils. At present, they can choose up to 10 per cent of their pupils on aptitude.

The document, written by Martin Johnson, a researcher with the institute and former president of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, blames academic selection for creating a scramble for secondary school places.

It also argues that under-achieving pupils can improve their performance if high-flyers remain in the school – rather than be creamed off to the nearest selective secondary school. It says that the Government should give top priority to social mix and community cohesion rather than parental choice.

The proposals are contained in a document on the future of London schooling being unveiled at a conference to be attended by Stephen Twigg, the Schools minister, and Professor Tim Brighouse, the new commissioner for London schools, next Wednesday.

It also coincides with the relaunch of a campaign within Labour to get the party to commit itself to ending selection in its manifesto for the next election.

Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, has also taken a tougher line against selection since taking over at the Department for Education and Skills three months ago.

He has urged all local education authorities retaining selective schooling to review their policies – and ask themselves whether it is helping raise standards for all pupils.

A report by Ofsted, the Government's education watchdog, said standards in Kent – which still has a fully selective secondary school system – were poorer as a result of retaining selection.

* Grammar schools are failing to cater for the bright children of poor families, according an independent policy group. A survey by the Education Network of school rolls showed there were 61 schools in the UK with fewer than 1 per cent of their pupils entitled to free meals. Of these, three-quarters were grammar schools.