'Tories to reject grammar schools and back Labour policy'

Britannist · 16-05-2007, 04:46 AM

'Tories to reject grammar schools'

The Conservatives are to abandon their support for grammar schools by saying academic selection is unfair to poorer families and limits social mobility.

Instead the party is backing the academy schools system introduced by Labour under Tony Blair.

Conservative education spokesman David Willetts will say in a speech that academic selection "entrenches" advantage rather than spreading it.

It is "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 can be fair, he will argue.

Source of the above: BBC 1 Television Ceefax, analogue page 104, 16.5.2007 at 4.42 am.

Britannist adds: Conservative MP David Willetts MP snapped sharply at Dick Morris (the American former assistant to President Clinton who was representing UKIP) in an exchange about Lady Thatcher's policies in a discussion on Dimbleby's Question Time (when both of them were guests on the panel in late 2004).

Alex McKee · 16-05-2007, 05:17 AM

Yet more abandonment of traditional liberal and conservative values.

As a product of grammar school education and from a poor background, I feel compelled to register my disgust at his suggestion that poor people are unable to become socially mobile under the current system. It's hard, certainly, but I do not favour bringing everyone down to the same, dire, level.

Britannist · 16-05-2007, 05:20 AM

I wonder what would happen if this policy not to support grammar schools was put to a vote (by secret ballot) of the entire Conservative Party membership.

Today's Daily Mail also reports on the Conservatives and grammar schools:

:arrow:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Alex McKee · 16-05-2007, 05:28 AM

The tory membership would never support these plans.

Britannist · 16-05-2007, 05:31 AM

This news story seems to have gained prominence only in the last few hours. By tonight, the entire Conservative Party membership will know about it. I really am very interested in seeing what their reaction to this is going to be.

No doubt the media will be visiting - over the next day or so - some of the grammars schools - and the localities they serve - to find out what people think.

harryaldridge · 16-05-2007, 08:49 AM

Yet another kick in the teeth of the less priviledged and to those true conservative MPs. Hopefully another catalyst to help on-the-fencers make the move to UKIP!

And they are dropping support of Grammar schools in favour of Academies!!!! I still don't get the point of academies. How are they supposed to make education better? I like the fact they are outside of LEA control, but so should every school.

eublues · 16-05-2007, 09:24 AM

Willetts sounded implausible and unconvincing on the Today Programme today.

rjt · 16-05-2007, 11:30 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6657173.stm

Gordon Brown on his Corronation Tour offers his continued support as regards accademies.

kernow · 16-05-2007, 02:19 PM

I have always been pro Grammar Schools, that was until I met a very bright person who is suffering from dyslexia! They would have never passed their eleven plus, so would never have gone to a Grammar school, which would have meant missing out on the special help they have had with being educated at a Comprehensive

mark starr · 16-05-2007, 03:30 PM

For once UKIP is on the ball with a press release indicating support for grammar schools.
This is what we want to see.

16-05-2007, 04:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	'Tories to reject grammar schools and back Labour policy' 'Tories to reject grammar schools' The Conservatives are to abandon their support for grammar schools by saying academic selection is unfair to poorer families and limits social mobility. Instead the party is backing the academy schools system introduced by Labour under Tony Blair. Conservative education spokesman David Willetts will say in a speech that academic selection "entrenches" advantage rather than spreading it. It is "fantasy" to think selection at age 11 can be fair, he will argue. Source of the above: BBC 1 Television Ceefax, analogue page 104, 16.5.2007 at 4.42 am. Britannist adds: Conservative MP David Willetts MP snapped sharply at Dick Morris (the American former assistant to President Clinton who was representing UKIP) in an exchange about Lady Thatcher's policies in a discussion on Dimbleby's Question Time (when both of them were guests on the panel in late 2004).

16-05-2007, 05:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Conservative Party, grammar schools I wonder what would happen if this policy not to support grammar schools was put to a vote (by secret ballot) of the entire Conservative Party membership. Today's Daily Mail also reports on the Conservatives and grammar schools: :arrow: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

16-05-2007, 05:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Grammar schools, Conservative Party membership This news story seems to have gained prominence only in the last few hours. By tonight, the entire Conservative Party membership will know about it. I really am very interested in seeing what their reaction to this is going to be. No doubt the media will be visiting - over the next day or so - some of the grammars schools - and the localities they serve - to find out what people think.

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16-05-2007, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Yet more abandonment of traditional liberal and conservative values. As a product of grammar school education and from a poor background, I feel compelled to register my disgust at his suggestion that poor people are unable to become socially mobile under the current system. It's hard, certainly, but I do not favour bringing everyone down to the same, dire, level.

16-05-2007, 05:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	The tory membership would never support these plans.

16-05-2007, 08:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
harryaldridge Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Sussex Posts: 1,912	Yet another kick in the teeth of the less priviledged and to those true conservative MPs. Hopefully another catalyst to help on-the-fencers make the move to UKIP! And they are dropping support of Grammar schools in favour of Academies!!!! I still don't get the point of academies. How are they supposed to make education better? I like the fact they are outside of LEA control, but so should every school.

16-05-2007, 09:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,128	Willetts sounded implausible and unconvincing on the Today Programme today.

16-05-2007, 11:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
rjt Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Aldershot Posts: 5,481	http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6657173.stm Gordon Brown on his Corronation Tour offers his continued support as regards accademies.

16-05-2007, 02:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
kernow Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,183	I have always been pro Grammar Schools, that was until I met a very bright person who is suffering from dyslexia! They would have never passed their eleven plus, so would never have gone to a Grammar school, which would have meant missing out on the special help they have had with being educated at a Comprehensive

16-05-2007, 03:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
mark starr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 642	For once UKIP is on the ball with a press release indicating support for grammar schools. This is what we want to see.