Between 1944 and the mid 1960s, most local authorities operated a system of grammar, technical and secondary modern schools, with pupils being allocated to schools on the basis of their performance in 11-plus examinations.

Selection became unpopular in the 1960s and the local authorities were encouraged to move towards comprehensive systems. In 1974, the Labour government legislated for universal comprehensive education, but the Conservative government elected in 1979 allowed grammar schools to continue.

In 1997 there were 3,798 state secondary schools in England and Wales, catering for 3,209,000 pupils. The average class size was 21.9; the pupil-teacher ratio, 16.7:1.

Comprehensive schools
The main type of secondary school, attended by 86.8 per cent of secondary pupils in England (100 per cent in Wales). Comprehensives cater for children of all abilities.

Middle-deemed secondary schools
For children between the ages of eight and 14, who then move on to senior comprehensive schools at 12,13 or 14. This type of school accounts for 5.2 per cent of the secondary pupils in England.

Secondary grammar schools
These select pupils on the basis of their 11-plus examinations, providing an academic course from age 11 to 16 or 18.

Secondary grammar schools make up 4.2 per cent of the secondary pupils in England.

The government has said there will be no new grammar schools, but has said that where they already exist, local parents will decide on any changes in the admission arrangements, not the local education authority.

Change will be decided through a ballot of local parents, but this will only take place if a petition has been put forward by local parents. However, it is so far unclear how many signatures will be required on such a petition, and whether parents of children who do not attend grammar schools can take part.