New secondary school in Croydon 'could be a grammar'
CROYDON'S education boss has opened the door for the creation of a grammar school.
The council wants a top academic organisation to take on the running of the new secondary school planned for South Norwood – and is indicating there will be no barriers if it turns out to be selective.
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Tim Pollard, Croydon Council's cabinet member for children, families and learning, pictured with Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell
Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, families and learning, said: "Realistically the school taking on the operation has to be an academy and our conclusion is that we need more academically high-performing schools in the borough.
"What is certain is that we are looking for a school that can demonstrate it is aspirational and that its commitment to pupils is borne out by excellent results, both in terms of Ofsted ratings and examination criteria.
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"If that means we eventually end up with a partner whose admissions criteria includes selection tests to identify pupils with the highest level of aptitude, this would simply add a new dimension to the range of options available in the borough."
Although selective grammars exist in areas including Kent, opening new state-funded schools is forbidden by law.
However, the ban has been bypassed by Kent county councillors who, earlier this year, voted to allow the creation of a new grammar school in Sevenoaks under the proviso it was a "satellite" of an existing Tunbridge Wells school.
But the prospect of the 11-plus returning to Croydon is politically sensitive.
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council's Labour opposition, told the Advertiser: "The idea of introducing selection is a categorical change of accepted policy that all children would be treated equally within the locality of the school. This would be a retrograde step but then nothing this Conservative council does surprises me."
The council has set aside £15 million to cover costs of expanding and remodelling the site in Sandown Road, which at present houses the South Norwood adult education centre.
The centre is moving to Thornton Heath in a reorganisation of adult education services, leaving the site free to help meet demand for extra school places in the north of the borough.
The idea is to provide a four-form entry secondary school but as this would not be viable as a stand-alone school, the council is seeking to market it as an annex to an existing school.
Applicants ranging from academies and community schools to faith and grammar schools are invited to register interest in the new venture.
Comments
by governorcj
Monday, June 25 2012, 11:10AM
“So a couple of years after closing a secondary school in the Borough after claims that demographic data showed that provision of school places outnumbered demand in the Bororugh for the next decade the Council are going to spend millions on a new one - WHY???”
by napopfro
Thursday, June 14 2012, 3:56PM
“I agree swsquires1. If they announced they were opening a special school for children with special educational needs everyone would assume that these children were of lower than average intelligence and that would be acceptable. Being above average intelligence also produces a special educational need however, and it is wrong to deny such children access to a suitable education. My only concern is that access to the school would be restricted to those who can afford to have their children tutored through the entrance exam - as was common practice when we had a tripartite education system and is still prevalent in areas where grammar schools exist today. If a way of ensuring that the genuinely gifted would have priority on places regardless of background, then this idea would have my full support.”
by LAFANTASTICA
Thursday, June 14 2012, 3:10PM
“Excellent news.”
by swsquires1
Thursday, June 14 2012, 8:45AM
“Having attended Ingram High School (now closed) and Coulsdon College neither of which set the academic bar particularly high, I think this is an excellent idea.
Throughout my school / college life I was a straight 'A' student and worked hard to achieve that. Whilst teachers were supportive, the lack of streaming (particularly at college) meant that I was rarely stretched. For example, in my Maths A level I recall having to act as a secondary teacher as I learnt faster than most and in Biology the teacher once stated that he taught to a D grade as that was the average standard.
If we want kids to achieve we need to give them the best that we can. Whilst I know that many are against the concept of grammar schools I 100% disagree. Every child deserves the best education suited to their needs. This means that bright proactive students are pushed and stretched to their limits whilst others less academically smart are taught at the level that is right for them.
Ultimately we are told that one size does not fit all in life and this is no less true in education. Unfortunately it is impossible for every child to be a high achiever (being born with academic intelligence is as much luck as being good at sports, art or music). Much the same as an 11 year old Wayne Rooney would gain little from playing football with kids who hate sport, a child who is regarded as a high achiever is going to develop less if taught in a class pitched at achieving a passing grade.”