Grammar schools are one of those subjects - they’re either loved or hated.
The introduction of the grammar school has split British opinion since their introduction in the 16th century.
Some see them as elitist, while others believe they offer opportunities that might not otherwise exist for the general public.
And, after the news that a quarter of UK grammar schools are still failing to admit poorer children, we take a look at what admission to a grammar school means.
What are grammar schools?
Tripartite, state-funded education came about as a result of the Education Act 1944, with the grammar school part of that system.
A grammar school is a type of secondary school that admits its students based on their ability and intellect.
There are currently 163 grammar schools in England, 66 in Northern Ireland, and no state-funded grammars in Scotland and Wales.
How do you get into a grammar school?
Students wanting to attend must sit an exam known as the 11-plus.
There are a range of tests including:
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Maths
- English comprehension, punctuation, and grammar
- Creative writing
What is the difference between a grammar school and a secondary?
When grammar schools were first opened, they were a place where you could learn Latin - which was the language taught in the likes of elite universities such as Cambridge and Oxford. To speak Latin, you were considered an “educational elite”.
Grammar schools are not run or managed by the Government and do not have to abide by the National Curriculum.
Who can go to grammar school?
Children are selected purely on ability. The 11-plus exam normally happens in the final year of primary school, but some grammar schools reopen their books at 13 and 16.
Why are grammar schools so controversial?
Because of the ability of the children who attend, grammar school students tend to have better GCSE and A-Level results.
The quality of teaching can also be higher as the schools can be more selective with the subjects they teach, and many grammar schools have good working relationships with top UK universities.
Critics of grammar schools say that age 11 is a very young age to be ruled out of education where they could excel.
Experts claim that the questions in the 11-plus test are based on education not covered in most primary schools, which leaves anyone who is not privately tutored at a disadvantage.
The Labour Party has in the past labelled grammar schools as breeding “class inequality” because of this.
Famous grammar school attendees
Many politicians have attended grammar schools, including former Tory MP Edwina Currie, Michael Portillo, and former UK Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling. The current frontrunner for First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousef, attended a private grammar school.
Sir David Attenborough, actress Sophie Rundle, the singers Ian Dury and Howard Jones, actor Christian Bale, journalist Mark Austin, comedian Jimmy Carr, and philosopher Roger Scruton also attended grammar schools.
