Some of us continue to challenge the view that grammar schools are “here to stay” (How to get poor children into the best state schools? Smash the glass floor, 3 July). A group in Buckinghamshire, a county still maintaining a fully selective secondary school system, has been scrutinising and publicising the results of a “new” selection test introduced locally. Though the local grammar schools and the test developer, Durham University, have strenuously resisted giving us data, early analysis of material obtained through freedom of information requests has provided compelling evidence that it is impossible to devise a fair test of ability which will not discriminate according to social background, ethnicity and prior opportunity.
Our analysis of test results shows the disproportionately low “pass results” for children on free schools meals, children of particular ethnic heritage and children living in less affluent areas. Educational separation from age 11 is based on long-since discredited notions that ability is fixed. As long as children are discouraged and labelled by such spurious testing, we will continue to campaign for a fairer school system.
Katy Simmons
Burnham, Buckinghamshire
• Good to see the strong moral convictions and determined sense of purpose offered by most of the candidates for the Labour leadership on the vexed question of selective schools (Fiona Millar, 7 July). Yvette Cooper believes that “a comprehensive intake is a good thing” but is not going to close schools that make such an intake impossible because she doesn’t “think this is the right approach”. Andy Burnham doesn’t “believe in selection at all” but is going to leave it to others to decide “at a local level”. Liz Kendall believes that “selection is wrong” but plans to continue with it. Apparently, only Jeremy Corbyn believes in translating his convictions into political action.
Michael Pyke
Campaign for State Education
