Reintroduction of Secondary modern schools for majority of children.

Where is the opposition when we need it. I know the LP oppose this as do the libdems and greens. The govt majority is 12, their manifesto didn't set out plans to the extent now being proposed.

I passed the 11+. Fat lot of good it did me. I was miserable at school. All girls and lots of bullying from pupils and teachers alike. I would have given anything to be in the Secondary Modern with my friends.

I think most of us on here are old enough to remember how divisive the 11+ was. If you failed you were in the second division at 11. Those of us who went to grammar school generally lost contact with those who went to the secondary modern, and the grammar school was, naturally, where the best teachers wanted to go. This is a depressing backwards step and is not addressing the real problem which is bringing up those schools which need help to the level of many of the excellent comprehensive schools around the country.

Listening to the radio apparently this idea has been brought forward to appease the areas that voted Brexit and don't have the views of the "metropolitan elite". Is that really what these area want?

I genuinely fail to understand why anyone sees it as a positive step to return to a divisive education system. There is evidence to suggest it is not in the interests of the majority of children.
The debate should be focussed on how to provide the best education for all our children. It may be that some children would prefer to move onto vocational courses. I suspect that could happen either after what is now GCSE or rather than all children study 10 subjects, some could elect to do the five main study areas alongside some vocational courses.

It's early in the day for me to give a less knee jerk reaction but honestly, I could spit.

In Kent where Grammar schools are common it is known that in poorer areas e.g.Thanet that the pass mark is different to say Tonbridge Wells area where families tend to have more money and access to tutoring or private prep. schools. The whole thing is a minefield.

The article I read mentions Theresa May's point that England already has selective schools: it's just that the selection is by house price rather than academic ability.

Scotland has always had comprehensive secondary schools. It doesn't seem to have stopped social mobility here. Just saying.

the-take.co.uk/news-politics/horrible-reality-grammar-schools/

My DD1 posted this today on her FB ..think the article is by a friend of hers.

Both my Dh and I went to grammar school but I think it's divisive. It would be better to concentrate on improving all schools so there is no need for separate grammars.

We don't have them in Scotland but from what I hear from friends in England, many places are taken by pupils who have been tutored and by parents looking to save on private school fees.