Granted, I went to one, so I may be biased. However, I fundamentally believe there is no real reason to get rid of grammar schools. Grammar schools are state funded, fully selective schools for pupils in the UK. As they are non-fee paying, it gives low-income families the opportunity to gain access to a high standard of education. Grammar schools encourage pupils to reach their full academic potential, as well as many schools excelling in a number of sports. They challenge private schools in both GCSE and A-Level league tables and succeed in supporting pupils into top universities. Grammar schools encourage pupils to reach their true potential within a highly academic environment, and thus it is important to recognise that they are only appropriate for certain pupils. Where some pupils struggle in classes that are beyond their capabilities, others struggle in schools which don’t fully challenge them and facilitate higher achievement. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure there are schools which exist to provide for students in the manner that grammar schools do.

I must admit I'm an American that focuses primarily on US politics. But I like to evaluate issues other countries are facing because it keeps my country from being the center of the world, and learn that other nations have their own issues as well. So, I was intrigued to learn about the nature of grammar schools and the education system of England. After quickly reviewing the data on grammar schools, I assert that England should get rid of grammar schools. Eleanor Busby of The Independent found that grammar school pupils are not as likely as public education pupils to have special education needs, speak English as an additional language, and are likelier to live in wealthier areas (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/grammar-schools-gcse-exams-academic-selection-durham-university-social-mobility-a8275406.html). Furthermore, the modern concept of the grammar school in England was created to determine which pupil would go on to university or not. The Education Act in 1944 asserted that pupils who reached the age of 11 would take an exam, known as the 11-plus. Those who passed it would go to grammar school, while those who failed went to secondary moderns. The divide between pupils became big enough for the government to ban the creation of more grammar schools in 1998. As a result, comprehensive schools, schools in which students of their various abilities to learn are taught together, became more common. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grammar-schools-what-are-they-education-explainer-controversy-theresa-may-a7233531.html) As an American that with learning disabilities, I struggled studying for US college entry exams such as the SAT and the ACT. I made average scores, and got inducted to a private university that suited my needs. But I credit my abilities to attend a school that was right for me as opposed to having to go to community college thanks to the benefits that were accessible in a public school that I would not have had access to had I gone to a private school, which nearly happened. My experience in university helped me realize that I was not one that struggled to learn. I realized that I learned in a way that was different than the students I knew. In fact, I've come to realize that everyone learns a little bit differently. I am against the maintenance of grammar schools because they create a system that separates those they deem worthy of obtaining an education under their own circumstances, when a lot of pupils actually have the ability to learn if given the right opportunity. CITATIONS: Busby, Eleanor. “Grammar Schools Should Be ‘Phased out’ as They Damage Social Mobility, Says Study.” The Independent, 27 Mar. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/grammar-schools-gcse-exams-academic-selection-durham-university-social-mobility-a8275406.html. England, Charlotte. “Why Is the Return of Grammar Schools so Controversial?” The Independent, 9 Sept. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grammar-schools-what-are-they-education-explainer-controversy-theresa-may-a7233531.html.

I disagree that grammar schools are a good idea. They are divisive and further highlight inequality within society. A study by Durham University has shown that ‘increasing selection in the school system harms the majority of students who do not attend a grammar school, while their success is only down to pupils background and higher prior attainment.’ It seems that grammar schools contribute to making the education system unfairer for many students. Grammar schools have negative social and economic consequences. The research also shows that grammar schools have a lot less children with special educational needs as well as those whose English is an additional language. Professor Stephen Gorard who teaches at Durham University states that ‘dividing children into the most able and the rest from an early age does not appear to lead to better results for either group.’ Grammar schools are divisive and their negatives outweigh the benefits. Works Cited: Vaughan Richard, ‘Grammar schools a ‘danger to equality and should be abolished’, say researchers’ (27 March 2018), https://inews.co.uk/news/education/grammar-schools-a-danger-to-equality-and-should-be-abolished-138750