For decades prior to 1944, grammar schools had already formed an important part of secondary education; however, there were significant structural impediments to achieving strong social mobility. A number of grammar school places were offered non-competitively on a fee-paying basis. Free grammar school places were allocated on the basis of performance in a competitive 11-plus examination, open to children from all backgrounds. Nevertheless, in the 1920s, only about one third of children won free places, many from better-off families. This rose to about half by the early 1930s.
By the end of the 1930s, boys with fathers in managerial or professional occupations were more than four times more likely to gain grammar school entry compared to boys from skilled manual families – and girls were three times more likely. Compared to children from semi-skilled or unskilled households, the top social groups were five to six times …show more content…
Those who failed to make the grade were sent to a new type of non-selective school, known as a secondary modern.
In 1965, the Labour Government began the process of phasing out grammar schools. Eventually, in 1998 Tony Blair's government put an outright ban on new grammar schools being created. Subsequently, comprehensive schools are now far more common than grammar schools in the UK state education system. In comprehensive schools, schoolchildren of all aptitude are taught together and there are no academic entry requirements.
In September 2016, Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced that she would end a ban on new grammar
By the end of the 1930s, boys with fathers in managerial or professional occupations were more than four times more likely to gain grammar school entry compared to boys from skilled manual families – and girls were three times more likely. Compared to children from semi-skilled or unskilled households, the top social groups were five to six times …show more content…
Those who failed to make the grade were sent to a new type of non-selective school, known as a secondary modern.
In 1965, the Labour Government began the process of phasing out grammar schools. Eventually, in 1998 Tony Blair's government put an outright ban on new grammar schools being created. Subsequently, comprehensive schools are now far more common than grammar schools in the UK state education system. In comprehensive schools, schoolchildren of all aptitude are taught together and there are no academic entry requirements.
In September 2016, Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced that she would end a ban on new grammar