MPs in uproar over Theresa May’s controversial grammar school plans
PM faces the first major challenge of her leadership as a former Education Secretary and several MPs launched a ferocious attack on her plans to reform the education system
THERESA May faces the first major challenge of her leadership as a former Education Secretary and several MPs launched a ferocious attack on her plans to reform the education system.
Nicky Morgan, who was in charge of education policy until July’s reshuffle, slammed the reforms saying they risked undermining six years of work improving standards.
And her fears were echoed by influential backbenchers including the Commons Education Committee chairman Neil Carmichael and Health Committee chair Sarah Wollaston.
The grammar revolution also faces being brought to a standstill by Labour and Lib Dem peers in the House of Lords after they vowed to fight the reforms.
Wading into the debate yesterday Mrs Morgan said: “I believe that an increase in pupil segregation on the basis of academic selection would be at best a distraction from crucial reforms to raise standards and narrow the attainment gap and at worse risk actively undermining six years of progressive education reform.”
And leading Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston stepped into a row over plans to encourage more faith schools by relaxing admission rules.
Dr Wollaston said she was against faith schools who “100 per cent fail to contribute to a more cohesive and integrated society”.
In a further sign of the difficulties Mrs May will face getting the plans through Parliament, Tory MP Karen Lumley signalled her dismay about the proposals.
She said she was “very sceptical” that poor children would benefit from the return of grammars.
She added: “I went to a grammar school, and it certainly wasn’t for me.
“I took the 11-plus and was in the bottom quartile. Nobody moved in or out while I was at school and so I remained at the bottom of the pile.
"I hated it and left as soon as I took my exams and got a job.
“I am very sceptical about the idea that poor children will benefit from a return to grammar schools.
“This could lead to a divisive system and put the clock back on education, negating much of the great progress we have made over the last few years.”
In a separate interview last night Mrs Morgan launched another broadside at the PM describing the policy rethink as "weird".
She said it would be "touch and go" whether the bill would get through parliament.
And in a direct jibe towards Mrs May, who has spoken of her own grammar school experience, she added: "Politicians have to be really careful about not making policy on the basis of our own personal
experiences."