Bye, Bye Grammar Schools

Is this yet another lurch to the left? Well, it is being packaged that way. It is another cynical attempt by the Cameronies to steal the clothes of the left to try to win over left of centre voters at the same time as hoping that the right wing voters will stick with them as there is nowhere else to go. Whether it proves to be successful or not remains to be seen - Blair did the same thing from the opposite side of the political spectrum, and it certainly worked for him. Of course I think it is cynical, deceitful and not worthy of the Conservative party, but I have banged on about this for long enough and don't plan on having another go at Cameron*. What struck me about this story is this piece of rhetoric:

"We must break free from the belief that academic selection is any longer the way to transform the life chances of bright poor kids. This is a widespread belief, but we just have to recognise that there is overwhelming evidence that such academic selection entrenches advantage, it does not spread it."

My gut reaction is academic selection is a good way to transform the lives of poor bright kids, but I actually think there is a far wider issue at stake here. Our education system is deeply, deeply flawed. We have catch all classes where success is based on rote learning and a very narrow selection of subjects designed to force as many people into university, regardless of suitability. If you see the point of education as preparing people to go into the outside world then our education system is failing the vast majority of pupils in this country. Education is not a pathway to success, and success often occurs in spite of the education system.

Fundamentally in this country we need to reconsider how we quantify and assess success in education. The formulaic, assembly line approach to comprehensive education in this country is just plain fatuous when you think about it. As part of being a liberal democracy we accept that everyone is an individual. Yet our approach to education treats everyone as the same. We need to accept that people are different, with different capabilities, and are most likely going to follow different paths in life. Education should not only acknowledge this individuality, it needs to embrace it.

Our education system develops rote learning skills, and simply assesses success through grades achieved in exams. The reality is that success in life is not simply based on the skills needed to get a good grade in a GCSE or an A-level. Other areas, such as emotional intelligence, practical capability and lateral reasoning, are equally as important to be successful in life as the narrow academic skills used in an exam room. But these areas are neglected in our education system, partly owing to the pressures of schools getting a good place in the league tables.

We need to accept that some people will thrive in the more cerebral atmosphere of university whilst others will not. Some people will thrive in an atmosphere where practical skills are key, others will not. And some people will have the emotional stability and strength to deal with high pressure and emotionally draining environment, others won't. The simple fact is we do need some sort of selection in place, so children are educated in the best possible way given their skills and their intelligence. Sure, mistakes will probably be made and some people may end up having the wrong focus. But a targeted approach to education is going to be more successful that the "one size fits all" approach we have at the moment. The problem lies not with selection, but rather with the narrow academic parameters of selection laid down by the flawed values of our education system.

Selection is a part of life, and children should be made aware of this and should be equipped to deal with this when they leave school. Because as soon as children grow up and venture into that cliched, but unavoidable, arena of the real world, they will see that selection based on academic intelligence, practical capability and emotional intelligence is not only common, but actually the norm.

*For the moment, I am sure my ire against Hug A Husky Cameron will rise again soon.