Academics at
Durham University have conducted a study that concludes that grammar schools perform no better
than non-selective state schools, once their pupils' higher ability and
wealth is taken into account.
I will let you ponder that for a minute or so, before I say what I think.
Seemingly the "apparent success" of these wholly selective
schools was down to their brighter and more advantaged pupils.
Well, think about that, of course those pupils who are brighter and more motivated will do better!
The
BBC reports that the research, based on the detailed results of nearly 550,000
pupils, suggests once the ability and social background of pupils is
taken into account, grammar schools are no more or less effective than
other schools.
The research not only looked at the social backgrounds of grammar pupils, but also:
- rates of chronic poverty
- ethnicity
- home language
- special educational needs
- age in the year group
The findings suggest England's grammars take only a tiny
proportion of pupils who are, or have been, eligible for free school
meals.
Let me make a small, but important point, no one human being is identical to another in terms of ability, intellect, skills etc etc. Streaming of pupils (whether in public, grammar or state schools) is necessary in order to ensure that all can achieve their best.
Classes of mixed ability pupils fail, because if the teachers focus on the brightest then the slower pupils will be left behind, and if the teachers focus on the slowest then the brighter pupils will become bored and disruptive.
Streaming is necessary to give all pupils a chance to achieve their best!
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