Gloucestershire grammar schools to adopt new 'accessible' test Testing will happen before the summer holidays to help families who cannot access private tutoring.

Moving the 11-plus and aligning it with the curriculum sounds fairer… But as one tutor puts it, "Tutoring will adapt rather than disappear.” There is no such thing as a tutor proof test. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our Essex grammar school is full of rich kids – pushy parents are gaming the system One of the best state schools in the country is under pressure – amid mounting concerns that tutored, privileged children are winning too many places

“Nobody is getting in off the back of picking up half a dozen practice papers from WH Smith in the summer of year 5." When entry depends on years of paid prep, the system is surely flawed beyond fixing. inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

Every Child Achieving and Thriving? Inclusion starts at the school gate – Comprehensive Future The government’s new SEND white paper makes a promise that is hard to argue with: every child, including those with special educational ... Read more

The SEND white paper promises every child will achieve and thrive. But it assumes all schools admit a representative intake. In grammar school areas, they don't — by design. comprehensivefuture.org.uk/every-child-...

Public concern grows over fairness in school admissions – Comprehensive Future New research from the National Secular Society, based on polling by More in Common, highlights public concern about how some state-funded schools ... Read more

Where any admissions criteria limit access for local or disadvantaged children, it’s right to ask whether the system is fair. State-funded schools should be inclusive and accessible to all. comprehensivefuture.org.uk/public-conce...

Top English schools take in half as many Send pupils as average comprehensive School leaders believe some deploy a deliberate strategy to boost grades and improve finances, new research suggests

If the “best” schools take fewer SEND pupils, are they really the best? New research shows 'top' schools admit far fewer disadvantaged SEND pupils than their local areas. That’s not excellence. That’s selection. #FairAdmissions www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Northern Powerhouse Launches Third Edition of Fairer Schools Index - Northern Powerhouse Partnership The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) has today launched its third edition of the Fairer Schools Index, providing a vital, contextually adjusted alternative to the government’s Progress 8 measure ...

The NPP Fairer Schools Index confirms what we already knew: grammar schools’ “top” rankings are often just a reflection of their selective intake, NOT better teaching. When you adjust for pupil background, their scores drop significantly. #uked www.northernpowerhousepartnership.co.uk/northern-pow...

Reform signals return of new grammar schools – Comprehensive Future The i newspaper reports that Reform UK is considering lifting the ban on new grammar schools if Nigel Farage becomes Prime Minister. ... Read more

Reform UK is reportedly considering lifting the ban on new grammar schools. But England already has selective areas, the evidence shows this system of education doesn't work. Expanding selection would be a step backwards. #ednews #edpolicy #ukedchat comprehensivefuture.org.uk/reform-signa...

That's a good point. By bringing back Grammar Schools, you also bring back Not Grammar Schools.

With Reform UK calling for the return of grammar schools, I’ve shared an excerpt from my first book The Myth of Meritocracy examining the evidence on who actually benefits from selection.

Clue: it isn’t working-class pupils. www.forthedeskdrawer.com/p/the-enduri...

Reform government could back new wave of grammar schools Reform, which has made former Tory minister Suella Braverman its new education spokeswoman, could allow them to be set up via the free school system.

The idea of “bringing back grammar schools” is pure nostalgia politics. Modern education systems focus on raising standards for all children, not selecting a minority and leaving the rest behind. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

New grammar schools set to return if Farage becomes PM The creation of new selective schools was outlawed by New Labour in 1998

It's being reported that Reform UK plan to create new grammar schools if they come into power. Such a bad move! Do parents really want to see more primary school children sitting the 11-plus? 🙁 inews.co.uk/news/politic...

Council has 'no powers' to influence admissions at Southend's grammar schools COUNCILLORS have admitted they have “no powers” to influence grammar school admissions after calls to boost the number of local children…

Councillors admit they have “no powers” to influence grammar school admissions following a call to boost the number of local children securing spots. 🫤 www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2590299...

Reform UK and academic selection: Reading the signals – Comprehensive Future On 17 February 2026, Nigel Farage announced Reform UK’s new “shadow cabinet,” appointing Suella Braverman as spokesperson for Education, Skills and Equalities. ... Read more

What is Reform UK's policy on grammar schools? So far the party has been quiet on this issue, but are there hints they plan to expand selection? comprehensivefuture.org.uk/reform-uk-an...

It's ridiculous that grammar schools are treated as equals to all other schools in league tables. “This comparison is too crude to help school leaders or parents. Schools with lower pupil attainment on entry will be judged unfairly.” schoolsweek.co.uk/grammars-shi...

Suella Braverman named Reform UK's education spokesperson The former home secretary claimed teacher authority had been 'eroded by violence and disorder'

Reform UK still has no stated policy on academic selection, but it now has a new education spokesperson. In 2022, Suella Braverman said, 'A government I lead would say yes to new grammar schools in any county that wants one.' schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-brave...

Inside the scramble for London grammar school places as five-year-olds are tutored The VAT on private school fees is pricing out many families, who are instead turning to tuition to win places at independent schools

'Children as young as five or six access tutors for the 11-plus.' The pressure to win places in London grammar schools is intense, but surely children this young shouldn't stress about a high stakes test? www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

Can an 11-plus ever be “tutor-proof”? – Comprehensive Future A grammar school has announced changes to its 11-plus test in an effort to counter what it calls the “insidious rise” of ... Read more

There’s no such thing as a “tutor-proof” 11+. Switching to English and maths doesn’t remove advantage, it just rewards long-term academic coaching.

Our take on the latest grammar school reforms. comprehensivefuture.org.uk/can-an-11-pl...

Grammar school will 'tutor-proof' 11-plus exams to stop pushy parents Chris Evans, headmaster of historic Reading School, says the new exams designed for 'the curious child' will aim to 'assess creativity' and 'knowledge already learnt in state schools up to Year 5'.

There's no such thing as a 'tutor proof' test. Moving the test date to July may avoid holiday cramming, but tuition will simply be brought forward. This becomes a test for 9 and 10-year-olds. Are children of 9 mature enough to cope with a high stakes test? www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

"Brutal system" of academic selection for 11 year olds slammed Only 5% of schools in England are grammar schools - but a whopping 40% in Northern Ireland mean academic selection is pressuring kids

"If schools are deploying on 11 year olds techniques more common to a trauma counselling session, it’s fair to say you’ve failed to produce a humane education system." www.thecanary.co/global/world...

Givan defends academic selection as MLAs call for him to begin process to end transfer test Paul Givan has mounted a robust defence of academic selection in dismissing calls for him to begin the process of ending the transfer tests in Northern Ireland.

This was an important debate in Northern Ireland. A majority of the Assembly voted in favour of ending selection in a non-binding motion. The transfer test system was described as 'brutal' and 'negatively impacting children.' www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/educati...

This podcast is the most downloaded Teachers Talk Radio show of the year so far. Listen to CF's chair outlining the problems with grammar schools, and explaining how education could be improved to offer a good local school for every child. www.podbean.com/ep/pb-ma6kx-...

We’re new on Bluesky after years on X. If you’re a UK educator, parent, or researcher interested in fair admissions, we’d love to follow you — replies welcome.