School selection

ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the latest announcement on Conservative education policy.

In a break with long-standing Conservative policy, shadow education secretary David Willetts said that more grammar schools would deepen divisions between rich and poor.

And he said that the Tories would build more sponsored city academies than would be opened under a Gordon Brown-led government.

Stakeholder Response: ATL

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Dr Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, said:"ATL is pleased to hear David Willetts wants better schools for all, with fair admissions and funding. 

"However, there is little evidence that academies, run by sponsors from business and religious organisations, really are better schools for all.

"As we have frequently said, what parents want is a good local school in which their children will be happy and flourish.

"Children need an education system which is challenging, interesting and stimulating, and gives them the skills they need for the future – regrettably not something we have at the moment. 

Stakeholder Response: NUT

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Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "I welcome the fact that David Willetts has seen the light on selection. Selection at eleven is totally unfair. It categorises youngsters into a two tier education system.

"I regret the fact that David Willetts fails to see the capacity of academies to create a new two tier system with academies increasingly seen as quasi grammar schools.

"He might ask himself why the government’s expansion plans for academies have been resolutely opposed by parents, governors and teachers alike.

"David Willetts would find much more fertile ground if he concentrated on achieving a good local school for every child."