GRAMMAR SCHOOLS FAILING SEN CHILDREN

2.42.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd Jun 2007

"Most Grammar Schools are failing large numbers of children"

At the County Council meeting on Thursday the 21st of June; it was reported that only one in every three hundred of Kent Grammar School pupils have special educational needs, and only two in every hundred are entitled to free school meals.

Martin Vye, Liberal Democrat Member for Canterbury South West, who had asked for the information, said: "Grammar schools are there to provide an education for children with higher intelligence. It is clear from these figures that grammar schools as a whole are not doing nearly enough to reach out and help all those who have the ability to benefit from a grammar school education, but who are prevented by particular difficulties from gaining access to it".

He paid tribute to individual schools that were taking their responsibility seriously, such as the Canterbury Grammar school with an autistic unit. He alleged "But these figures show that most Grammar Schools are failing large numbers of children who because of their social background, or perhaps emotional turmoil caused by their family circumstances, need extra help to reach their full potential".

Notes: Figures compare to the general secondary school population where 21.5% have special needs and 7.9% receive free school meals.

The Full Question & Answer are available on this website.

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County Council Questions.