New Right: Re-introduce grammar schools

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Teresa May’s conservative government put forward plans to reintroduce grammar schools back into the state system which ended up being put on hold due to Brexit

(AO3) Many argue this would essentially be a return to a tripartite-style system that was moved away from in the 1960s/70s due to class inequalities. However, there is said to be widespread parental support for the re-introduction of grammar schools.

Question 2

Arguments for

Answer 2

1. Supporters say they will provide a ladder of opportunity for poor, bright students.
2. It might mean that we see the withering away of private schools – who will pay £10K+ a year when you can get a similar quality of education for free?
3. The New Right argue that comprehensives are not good enough – we need more, quality education to prepare our brightest students to compete in a global job market.

Question 3

Arguments against

Answer 3

1. Number 1 above is a myth – the reason so many bright working-class students seemed to benefit from a grammar school education in the 1960s was because of a change in the class structure at that time – basically the decline of w/c jobs & the increase in m/c jobs meant there was more opportunity to go up the class ladder. This no longer the case.
2. It’s unfair on those who don’t get into them.
3. The 11+ favours those who can afford private tuition – so all we are going to see is the reproduction of class inequality. Some would argue that this would not be the case if grammar schools are given higher quotas of children from poorer backgrounds that they must let in.