News

Opposition to selection proposal mounts as both TUC and OECD warn against new policy

Government policy
An emergency motion opposing the government’s plans to expand pupil selection via new grammar schools and elsewhere in the state education system has been passed at the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Put forward by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and National Union of Teachers (NUT), the motion said there was no evidence to justify selection in state education.

It comes as respected educationalist Andreas Schleicher, the head of education at the OECD, also warned that international evidence shows selection is not linked to school improvement.

The government is currently seeking responses to its consultation over the plans but has faced widespread criticism from the education community since prime minister Teresa May announced the idea.

The plan, which was not included in the Conservative 2015 General Election manifesto, is to “relax the restrictions on new or expanding selective schools” and allow existing non-selective schools to become selective “in the right circumstances”.

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here