Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw in fresh attack on grammar schools

London schools could get less funding from next year, it has been warned
PA
Pippa Crerar5 September 2016

Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw stepped up his attack on grammar schools today, warning that a return to selection would be a “profoundly retrograde step” which would lead to falling standards.

The outgoing chief inspector of schools said grammars had a “woeful” record of admitting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He said the success of inner London secondaries “made a mockery” of the claim that more grammars could unlock the potential of poorer pupils.

His words will be interpreted as a parting shot at Prime Minister Theresa May, who is reportedly planning to lift the ban on new grammar schools.

Sir Michael asked a London Councils conference on improving schools: “If they are such a good thing for poor children, then why are poor children here in the capital doing so much better than their counterparts in those parts of the country that operate selection?”

He added: “The notion that the poor stand to benefit from the return of grammar schools strikes me as quite palpable tosh and nonsense — and is very clearly refuted by the London experience.

"I am in no doubt that a return to selection would be a profoundly retrograde step.” His comments came as it was claimed that schools in London could lose their status as the best in the country if ministers press ahead with plans to cut their funding.

Town halls across the capital warned that a long-awaited funding overhaul could mean many London schools will receive “significantly” less money.

London schools have outperformed the rest of the country at every level for the past five years.

Peter John, schools spokesman for London Councils, said: “Nobody would argue against fair funding but it shouldn’t be at the expense of taking a huge chunk of money out of London.”

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