Grammar schools given £50m to take extra pupils

Richard Vaughan cites Sutton Trust research on grammar schools in an article for the I. 

Grammar schools will be handed tens of millions of pounds to expand the number of places under hugely controversial plans launched by the Government.

Ministers will give £50m in funding as part of its Selective Schools Expansion Fund to allow existing grammars to extend their premises to take on more pupils.

The plans resurrect Theresa May’s policy to dramatically expand selective education, which was believed to be dead and buried after the Conservatives’ dismal performance in last year’s general election. But opponents warned the decision would be “damaging” to efforts to boost social mobility.

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Research by social mobility charity the Sutton Trust showed that a child is ten times more likely to go to a grammar if they attended a private prep school than if they are on free school meals.

But the plans were condemned by teachers’ leaders, who criticised the additional funding at a time of tighter school budgets.

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