New grammar school will harm social mobility says Powell

Lucy Powell has attacked the government’s decision to approve the first selective school in 50 years, accusing David Cameron of abandoning social mobility after he made it the centre of his conference speech.

The Shadow Education Secretary said: “David Cameron should look at the clear evidence on grammar schools: They do not increase equality of opportunity: they make it worse. Tiny numbers of children from disadvantaged backgrounds pass their tests because they are the preserve of the privately tutored.”

“That’s why Ofsted and educational experts are against their expansion. This is a hugely backward step from a Prime Minister who seems to care little for excellence for all. David Cameron is once again saying one thing but doing the opposite.”

Powell’s comments come after the government gave the go-ahead for the opening of a new ‘annexe’ of the Weald of Kent girls’ grammar school in Tonbridge several miles away from the main site. The new ‘annexe’ will offer 450 places allocated by academic selection.

The school has lobbied for a number of years to be allowed to establish an ‘annexe.’ A previous plan was turned down by ministers after they were not persuaded that it was a satellite of the grammar rather than a new school.

Other grammar schools are expected to take advantage of the new loophole to establish new sister schools in the guise of satellite extensions.