Lib-Dems oppose controversial plan

JULIA TURNER

OLDHAM'S Liberal Democrats fear that vital funding could be taken from the borough's classrooms to pay for new grammar schools.

And the borough's largest teaching union has branded Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals to expand grammar schools in England a "regressive move" and a distraction from the real problems facing schools.

Councillor Julia Turner, Liberal Democrat group spokeswoman for education, said: "This move would lead to the diversion of money from scarce national and local resources to meet the costs of yet another reorganisation of schools.

"Our current schools are inclusive and supportive of all of our children. We are concerned that the introduction of grammars will benefit the few and exclude the many, particularly those pupils from poorer backgrounds, whose parents cannot afford the additional private tuition that is often needed for children to access grammar schools, and pupils with disabilities who may require specialist person-centred provision rather than grammar school education with its academic focus."

The proposals have also been attacked by Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw who said that grammars served the top 10 per cent of the population at the expense of the poorest.

Councillor Turner added: "Theresa May is obsessed with introducing new grammar schools, without the evidence that they will improve access to quality education for poorer pupils and for pupils with disabilities.

Tosh

"Sir Michael Wilshaw recently said it was 'palpable tosh and nonsense' to claim that poor pupils will benefit from the reintroduction of grammar schools and that such schools have a 'woeful' record of admitting non-middle class pupils.

"He should know ­- as chief inspector of schools, he has the facts at his fingertips.

"I have yet to meet a parent who does not want the best for their child, and one way of helping them to achieve their best would be for the government to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to driving up achievement in every school and encouraging every child to aspire to reach their goals.

"In a nutshell, we want them to stop short-changing existing schools in our borough."

Tony Harrison, joint secretary of Oldham National Union of Teachers, said: "Teacher retention and recruitment is at dangerously low levels, assessment is in disarray and insufficient school funding is impacting on the quality and range of educational experiences teachers can offer students.

"These are the issues that need addressing, not a return to an archaic idea that has been roundly rejected for decades.

"Social mobility is a problem but as all the evidence shows it is one that will not be addressed by selective education.

"A Sutton Trust report showed that less than three per cent of entrants to grammar schools are entitled to free school meals, while many grammar school heads were concerned that children from middle class families were coached to pass the entrance exam.

Dogma

"Supporters of the re-introduction of grammar schools claim that it would increase parental choice. This is, of course, total nonsense. Grammar schools by their very nature do not permit parents to choose them.

"This is not about choice but about political dogma that tells children at a young age that they have failed.

"Grammar schools are nothing more than window dressing.

"It is time for Government to step back and take a long hard look at what is needed to ensure that all children are given the education they deserve."

• See More on the grammar schools debate.