It was announced in the summer that the UK Government is planning to launch a new generation of grammar schools by scrapping the ban on new ones being established which was imposed almost 20 years ago. Since that time there has been much debate in the media and amongst the general public about whether this is the best way forward for the education system.
While I can see the attraction of an extension and revival of grammar school education in England, I am not persuaded that selection in the education system is the right way forward for schools here in Wales. Since 1999, devolution in Wales has set the education system on a very different path from England and we therefore face our own unique set of challenges and that's why I believe that extending parental and pupil choice is the key to improving standards in Welsh schools.
Every year in Wales thousands of children are turned away from schools that they and their parents prefer because good, successful schools are full.
It's not fair that only pupils with well-off families, who can afford to move into expensive school catchment areas, or with pushy parents, get into the best schools and have freedom of choice. This needs to change.
All children should have access to the school that they and their parents feel would be best for them, not merely be sent to the one closest to their home, especially if that school isn't performing well. If they wish to attend a school some distance from where they live, then that should be up to them - although it would obviously be their responsibility to sort out transport to and from that school.
We should be enabling everyone to send their children to the schools that provide the best education and this can only come about by freeing schools up from local authority control and enabling popular schools to expand so that they can accommodate all the pupils who want to attend.
Providing parents and pupils with choice would raise standards in schools by forcing schools to compete to attract learners. Those schools which are able to provide good standards of education and motivate pupils to fulfil their potential would thrive, and those that don’t would have to raise their game.
We must also do more to empower pupils to make choices at both 14 and 16 so that they can choose the type of education and the school that best suits them. If a child develops a flair for art, technology or sports, why should they be expected to remain in a school which focuses on an academic environment which may not best serve their needs? Surely, they should be able to switch into another educational environment, be that another school, college or another place of learning to enable them to flourish.
One of the arguments for grammar schools is that “If you’re a really bright kid you should have the opportunity to excel as far as your talents take you.” I agree wholeheartedly, but believe that it is not only the ‘bright’ kids who should be honoured with this opportunity; every one of our youngsters deserves the chance to reach their potential.
Instead of creating a divide between our young people by re-introducing grammar schools in Wales, we should instead be ensuring that every child in Wales has equal access to a quality education and promoting choice as a driver for improvement.
Schools shouldn’t be selecting pupils; pupils and parents should be selecting schools.