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Corbyn vs May: Grammar School Debate

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clashed over the government's plans to expand grammar schools in England. May defended the plans, saying they would give every child a high-quality education and level up opportunities. Corbyn argued that the 11-plus test used to admit children to grammar schools divides children too early and that most children would lose out, as statistics show children from low-income households perform more poorly in grammar school areas. Corbyn pressed May to explain how existing grammar schools would widen their admissions criteria under the new plans.

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36 views2 pages

Corbyn vs May: Grammar School Debate

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clashed over the government's plans to expand grammar schools in England. May defended the plans, saying they would give every child a high-quality education and level up opportunities. Corbyn argued that the 11-plus test used to admit children to grammar schools divides children too early and that most children would lose out, as statistics show children from low-income households perform more poorly in grammar school areas. Corbyn pressed May to explain how existing grammar schools would widen their admissions criteria under the new plans.

Uploaded by

kalvinaco
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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This

Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have clashed in the Commons over government
plans to expand grammar schools.

The Labour leader said it would lead to "failed segregation for the few and second class
schooling for the many" in which children "could only lose out".

He suggested ex-PM David Cameron was among the many critics of the plans.

But Mrs May said she backed "levelling up, not down" in education and accused Labour
of denying opportunities to others which they enjoyed themselves.

During exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May defended plans for more
grammar schools and to allow existing state-funded schools to select pupils on the
basis of academic ability.

'Ladder up'

She said 1.25 million pupils were currently in schools which were "failing, inadequate or
in need of improvement" and the plans - allied to the expansion of faith schools and
more obligations on private schools - would give every child the high-quality education
they deserved to enable them to go as far as their talents allowed.

Noting that, like her, Mr Corbyn had himself gone to a grammar school, she accused
Labour politicians of "stifling ambition and opportunity" and "taking the advantage of a
good education for themselves and pulling up the ladder behind them".

"He went to a grammar school, I went to a grammar school. It is what got us to where
we are today. My side may be slightly happier than his."

Mr Corbyn said it was not a question of pulling up the ladder, but ensuring all children,
not just a few, were given a ladder up.

The Labour leader said the 11-plus test used to admit children to grammar schools was
a "life-changing division" and cited statistics suggested children from low-income
households performed more poorly in grammar school areas.

'Heading backwards'

Claiming the plans had united the entire education profession in opposition, Mr Corbyn
pressed the PM to confirm how existing grammar schools in Kent and Buckinghamshire
would be required to widen their admissions criteria.

"Why does the prime minister want to expand a system that can only let children down?
"Every child should have the best possible education they can have. We don't need and
never should divide children at the age of 11, where the majority end up losing out.

"Isn't this a case of a government heading

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