Grammar school myths: “We have specialist stage schools, music schools etc. so why not grammar schools?”
Sometimes people point to the fact that we select pupils for stage school or choir schools, as a reason to suggest we ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “Comprehensive schools dumb down education and ‘bright’ kids miss out.”
There is a widely held view that mixed-ability comprehensive schools ‘fail’ bright children, but there is not much evidence to back this ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “The reason low numbers of disadvantaged pupils access grammar schools today is because there are too few grammar schools.”
There is a misconception that because there are a relatively small number of grammar schools remaining in England this is why they ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “The 11-plus exam is based on sound scientific research and is an effective way of identifying the most intelligent children.”
The science behind the 11-plus is controversial and its history is full of scandal. The idea that 'intelligence' is fixed and can ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “Grammar schools are outstanding schools, just look at their great results.”
Schools are always a mix of good and bad, teaching quality will always vary to some extent, and no school can realistically ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “Some children are academic and some are vocational, we need two types of school.”
The idea that there are two types of children needing different routes to academic or vocational education is supported by many people. ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “Grammar schools should be a choice for parents, and available for those who want them.”
There is a view that grammar schools add to the range of choice for parents and so should be more widely available. ... Read more
Grammar school myths: “Grammar schools are engines of social mobility, just look at the past.”
There is a widespread belief that in the height of the grammar school era, in the 50s and 60s, there was an ... Read more