A £50MILLION expansion of existing grammar schools has been welcomed by a Worcester councillor.
Coun Alan Amos welcomed the Government’s decision to provide support for existing schools which he said provided parents with a real choice on where they sent their children.
The Department for Education said grammar schools will only get a share of the money if they can show they are taking steps to admit more disadvantaged pupils.
There are currently 163 grammar schools in England, out of about 3,500 state-funded secondary schools.
“We can have all types of schools, such as specialist academies, Free Schools, Faith Schools and so on, so why not one that concentrates on academic excellence,” Coun Amos said.
“We should be encouraging our most able academic pupils by nurturing them with specialist facilities.
“Grammar schools provide a particular type of education most suited to the needs of bright academic children.
“We know some teachers oppose them out of self-interest or because these schools make teachers’ performance more transparent for everybody to see.
“Education cannot be a process of “one size fits all” which is what ‘comprehensivisation’ has meant.
The city and county councillor for Bedwardine told the Observer he hoped the Government would take the announcement further and change the legislation to introduce new grammar schools.
“I’ve no doubt that one in Worcester would be warmly welcomed and quickly over-subscribed as it will raise the standards in every other school and college through its competition.
“In short, give parents the choice and let them decide what is best for their own children.”
