Grammar School Debate
Date: Mon 7th November 2011
As a former Grammar School pupil myself, I have benefited first hand from an outstanding Grammar School education and the opportunities it has afforded me. I believe that the Government should continue to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Grammar Schools and that we must all recognise the contribution they make to our education system. This is why, on Tuesday this week I raised this matter in Parliament in the form of a Westminster Hall debate.
In Dartford we are lucky to have four excellent grammar schools; Dartford Grammar for Boys, Dartford Grammar for Girls, Wilmington Girls and Wilmington Boys offering something different to pupils in the local area. In Kent alone there are 27 selective schools which make up a quarter of state funded secondary schools in the county. These schools in the majority receive a higher number of applicants than places they have available, thus illustrating the demand for grammar school places.
It is reassuring that as recently as last week the Government has announced that the cap will be lifted on the number of places grammar schools are able to offer. Therefore I am hopeful that we will see a rise in the coming years in the number of places grammar schools are able to offer.
There are many advantages to a Grammar School education in addition to the high academic results that they achieve. They provide the opportunity for a first rate education for pupils from all backgrounds and encourage genuine social mobility. Too often the catchment areas around successful Comprehensive Schools are only accessible to the well off because of the inflated house prices in the area.
Every pupil is different. We must not fall into a culture of directing every child the same way. Some pupils will be more suited to a vocational route whilst others will suit a more academic one. Allowing pupils to follow the route most suited to them results in happier more focused pupils.
Grammar Schools are popular with parents and pupils, they provide excellent education and offer social mobility to those who attend the school, we need to allow them to flourish and I hope in the coming years to see Dartford’s Grammar Schools going from strength to strength.
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