It has been reported in the media over the last few days that thousands of bright children are being "systematically failed" by England's non-selective secondary schools. Education inspectors have found that:
- 62% of pupils (at non-selective secondary schools) who got Level 5 in their English Sats did not get an A* or A grade in this subject at GCSE in 2012
- 25% of pupils who got Level 5 in their English Sats failed to get at least a B
- 53% of students who got Level 5 in their maths Sats did not gain an A* or A grade in this subject at GCSE
- 22% of pupils who got Level 5 in maths in their Sats failed to get at least a B
In 40% of the schools visited, the brightest students were not making the progress they were capable of, and many had become "used" to performing at lower levels, with parents and teachers accepting this "too readily", Ofsted said.
What an endorsement for selective education. I am so pleased that Torbay still has its selective Grammar Schools. Long may they continue.
Kate Marke
