ATL COMMENT ON LINK BETWEEN SOCIAL SEGREGATION AND SCHOOL SELECTION

31 January 2008

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“There is clear evidence the existence of selective and faith schools creates social segregation.

“Ever since Mrs Thatcher sanctioned the closure of grammar schools, politicians have been scared to make those decisions, and the Government devised an unworkable local ballot system to avoid the issue.

“This Government says it wants to promote social cohesion and closing the achievement gap, so it should not back-off from leading a debate about the type of schools we need to best serve the interest of all UK children.”