BBC News | EDUCATION | Grammar schools 'make little difference'

BBC News Online: Education

Monday, 6 December, 1999, 02:22 GMT

Grammar schools 'make little difference'

There is little difference between the academic performance of the grammar and comprehensive school systems, according to a new study.

Experts at the University of London's Institute of Education have evaluated research carried out into both school systems since the 1960s.

Their study shows evidence suggests more able children tend to do better in grammar schools. It also suggests less able children appear to do better in comprehensives, rather than secondary modern schools.

But it concludes that the differences in both cases are very small.

The study, The Grammar School Question, has been published as a heated debate rages about the future of selective education.

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It outlines current policy on grammar schools, and discusses the issue of parental ballots to decide whether grammars should stay or go.

It also explains the ideological leanings, and strengths and weaknesses, of various works of research.

The authors say the "superior" achievements of the more academically able pupils in grammar schools cannot be assumed to be caused by the schools' selective nature.

They suggest they could instead be due to better resources and teaching often enjoyed by grammar schools.

'Constructive dialogue'

Dr Sally Power, who wrote the study with colleagues Dr David Crook and Professor Geoff Whitty, said: "Better qualified teachers tend to want to teach the most able children.

"Grammar schools usually have post-16 education because they have sixth forms. This also attracts teachers, and means the schools have more resources as the funding per pupil schools receive increases with age."

The study ends by discussing some of the consequences of abolishing or retaining selective education.

It argues that "developing successful comprehensive education ... is likely to require a broader cultural shift if anxious parents, pupils and teachers ... are to be persuaded that comprehensive schools can provide as good an education as grammar schools".

Dr Power said: "We wanted to have a more constructive dialogue about the issue. In the debates about the future of grammar schools, people are using all the ammunition they have - this puts that ammunition in perspective."

But she pointed out that the study only considered the school systems in terms of academic achievement. It did not take into account other factors, such as social objectives.

Related to this story:
Blunkett's clash with Tories over grammars (02 Dec 99 | Education)
Comprehensives beat grammars at GCSE (04 Nov 99 | Education)
Kent warned over cost of ending grammars (20 Oct 99 | Education)
Battle lines drawn up over grammar schools (19 Oct 99 | Education)
Peer pressure on grammar schools (06 Oct 99 | Education)
Parents campaign to save grammars (04 Oct 99 | Education)

Internet Links: The Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations 1998 Campaign for State Education: Say no to selection Parents' Alliance for Choice in Education (Trafford) University of London: Institute of Education
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