The argument about grammar schools had been stuck in a rut. Opponents argued that the division between grammar schools and secondary modern was too binary. But with the advent of free schools this argument has lost its force. There is now a diversity of provision meaning that there’ll be no return to the old stark grammar/secondary modern split.
Free grammars would also boost the number of state school children going to our best universities and unleash a new wave of educational philanthropy. As Terry Leahy, the former boss of Tesco who has as good a claim as anyone to the title of Britain’s most successful businessman, tells The Spectator this week, ‘I’d be saying choose Liverpool and see if a good selective school could make a real difference to how those kids from the very poorest backgrounds do.’
I understand that Leahy is far from alone in his desire to set up a new free, grammar school.
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