Walsall Council motion opposing new grammar schools is passed
Walsall Council has called on the government to scrap its plan to bring back grammar schools and asked them 'to do more' when catering for young people.
The authority, led by Labour's Sean Coughlan, passed a motion at its full council meeting where it confirmed its opposition to government plans for bringing back grammar schools.
But the motion, which also rejects any changes to free schools, was only narrowly passed by 28 votes to 27 after both UKIP and the Conservatives launch impassioned defences of grammar schools.
The notice of motion, put forward by Councillor Coughlan and Liberal Democract leader Councillor Ian Shires, states that the council:
- Confirms its opposition to the expansion of grammar schools
- Calls on the Government to abandon the selection by ability and social separation of young people into different schools
- Rejects any change to Free Schools to enable them to select on the basis of academic ability.
- Calls on the Government to respect the spirit of existing legislation on grammar schools and not seek out loopholes within it to effectively create new grammar schools under the pretext of expansion.
- Calls on the Government to do more to cater for all young people according to individual aptitudes and abilities.
Councillor Coughlan added: "It is an important issue. I am not against grammar schools per say but whilst we increase them we are going to lose funding for the comprehensive schools which desperately need the money more than anything.
"I find it really really strange. I remember my daughter going to Pool Hayes Comp and having to buy books and pencils and that is what education was like in the 80s. I am worried that with all the financial pressures around at the moment that we will head back in that direction.
"We need a proper discussion about education, the academies in Walsall are the ones failing the most. But I just do not believe that grammar schools are the answer."
Under the government's plans, grammar schools would be allowed to expand and all schools in England would be given the right to apply to select pupils by ability.
The plans were defended by Walsall's UKIP leader, Councillor Liz Hazell, who said: "Being a mother I should have the choice where to send my child and being a politician I should not have the right to tell parents where to send their kids.
"Grammar schools are not the solution for a better education system but they are part of it."
Councillor Mike Bird, the leader of the Conservatives in Walsall, added: "This should be part of the education programme. Walsall's eduction is appalling and has been for sometime with a few exceptions.
"What is wrong is not grammar schools it is the system where parents have their children coached to pass the 11 plus and get into grammar schools."
