Sir Peter Lampl: Grammar schools plan and social mobility

Sir, Further to Tim Montgomerie’s article, there is no question that grammar schools are socially selective. The average proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals in grammar schools is 3 per cent compared with 18 per cent in the boroughs they serve. As things stand, they are not vehicles of social mobility. Through outreach, test preparation for all and contextual admission they could be reformed. Not until this happens should there be an expansion of the number of grammar schools.