Education Secretary Gillian Shephard has expressed her hope that local government changes in Plymouth will not endanger the city’s three remaining grammar schools, writes Michael Prestage.
The schools are among those due to pass in 1997 from the control of Devon County Council to the new unitary authority run by the Plymouth City Council. Devon is one of the seven English shire counties in which services are being divided among new single-tier authorities following a review by the Local Government Commission.
Plymouth Sutton Tory MP Gary Streeter claimed in the House of Commons last week that the changes could spell doom. In reply Mrs Shephard said: “I am delighted to hear that the three grammar schools are so popular and successful. I hope very much that the changes . . . do not put them under threat.”
Devonport High School for Girls, Devonport High School for Boys and Plymouth High School for Boys have all seen pupil numbers rising since 1989.
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