Rugby MP Mark Pawsey spoke in the House of Commons this week to welcome the Government’s plans to relax the rules on expanding selective schools, as well as allowing new ones to open and non-selective schools to become more selective where there is a demand.
The news comes as the Prime Minister, Theresa May, pledged to create an education system that works for everyone not just the privileged few building on the recent Conservative reforms which have led to 1.4 million more children being educated in good or outstanding schools since 2010.
During a statement on Tuesday made by the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, Mark highlighted the pressure for places at Rugby’s grammar schools caused by applications from pupils outside of Warwickshire.
Mark commented:
“Rugby’s three grammar schools, Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby High School and Ashlawn School, all have excellent reputations and as a consequence they are extremely popular not only with parents and pupils from Rugby, but also from the surrounding area. This has led to considerable pressure on places and results in fewer places being offered to children in Rugby than would be the case if other areas were able to offer their own selective places. Enabling the provision of additional selective places across the country will create more opportunities for children in Rugby to attend our local grammar schools.”
Mark continued:
“As a former pupil of Lawrence Sheriff School, I was delighted when the Prime Minister announced that the Government would be seeking to allow other areas to introduce selective education. Giving young people the right education is crucial to in ensuring that they have the best start in life. I am particularly encouraged by the proposals to ensure that the most disadvantaged children will be able to take up places in outstanding schools.”
Mark concluded:
“Rugby is fortunate to have so many excellent schools from our grammar schools and excellent primary and secondary schools, to our new Free Schools. Since coming to power in 2010 this Government has made huge strides in increasing parental choice and driving up standards across the education sector. By providing more selective school places we will enable more young people, both here in Rugby and across the country, to have access to an education that will enable them to thrive.”