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Exclusive: majority of teachers would refuse to teach in a grammar school

Exclusive: majority of teachers would refuse to teach in a grammar school

Nearly three-quarters of teachers and heads are opposed to government’s grammar school plans, TES poll finds

13th September 2016, 2:10pm

More than half of teachers have said they would not teach in a grammar school, a TES survey conducted in the wake of the government’s plans to drastically expand selective education has found.

The snap poll of teachers and heads also revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents were opposed to the government’s proposals for a new wave of grammar schools.

It comes just 24 hours after the government published its Green Paper on its controversial plans, which includes allowing existing grammars to grow, setting up new grammar schools and allowing exisiting comprehensives to convert and select.

The TES survey of more than 1,100 teaching staff gives even greater insight into the level of opposition the government will face in trying to push through the plans.

According to the findings, 56 per cent of teachers would not be prepared to teach in a grammar school, with only 29 per cent saying would be prepared to work in one. Another 15 per cent were not sure.

In regards to the overall policy to expand selection in the school system, 72 per cent of respondents said they did not think more grammars were a good idea. Only 21 per cent backed the move, with 7 per cent “not sure”.

Upon announcing the plans in the House of Commons yesterday, education secretary Justine Greening said the government’s proposals would create a “true meritocracy” in Britain.

“The proposals I have published today build on the government’s successful reforms to our education system,” she said. We want to make more good school places available in more areas, ensuring we give every child an excellent education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I would urge everyone to look at the detail in the consultation document and join that debate.”

But shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said that while Labour had promised “education, education, education” the Conservative government’s policy amounts to “segregation, segregation, segregation”.

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