Testing is diluting quality of schools

A HEADMASTER has hit out at "double testing" for grammar school selection because he fears it is diluting the quality of Dover's schools.

Astor School's Chris Russell has spoken strongly about "the anomaly of double testing" against a background storm of national publicity over selective education.

His school is one of Kent's largest with 1,384 pupils on the roll in January.

In Dover, children who are not selected by taking the Eleven Plus, may take grammar schools' own tests to gain entry.

Mr Russell said Astor had lost 12 girls and 13 boys who were designated by primary heads as being high school but were offered places at the grammar schools.

He said: "The anomaly of double testing, in my view, makes the county process meaningless.

"We might as well simply leave it to the grammar schools to take who they want and then take what is left. Is that really what parents want?"

Mr Russell has headed Astor for 12 years, He said: "When I arrived selection was 20 per cent, it is now nearly 30.

"There are fundamental questions that need to be asked. Is that really the selection position of the Dover area or are we artificially selecting high school students to make the grammar schools financially viable?

"Is there open access for grammar school students to progress into their sixth forms or are only those who aspire to the top A level grades encouraged to stay on?

"Is there a significant percentage of children who are admitted to grammar schools and who really struggle to keep pace?

"It is probably too early to tell what effect that is having on them.

"Many can reach a quite considerable achievement but need to be in a slightly less hothouse atmosphere.

Believe

"I personally believe incomprehensive education but can accept selection where that genuinely means the most academically able.

"I am very worried that Dover is out of step with this principle with a result that the grammar schools and high schools are in serious danger of losing their high quality and focus, and eventually declining in stature."

Parents voted by two to one to keep selection at Ripon Grammar School, North Yorkshire, in the first ballot under new government rules.

They are to petition for ballots in five other areas, including Kent, where 46,000' signatures are needed to force a ballot.

Mr Russell said, "it was an interesting situation in Ripon because, the head of the non selective school supported the grammar school's situation which suggested selection was working in the area.

Dover Grammar School For Boys headmaster Neil Slater said they had run their own tests since 1995.

He said:. "The boys who have come here are doing well and fully fitted in to a grammar school education in every way. "We are looking for potential in our tests and not necessarily achievement."

"I am very pleased that Ripon had the threat lifted and can now go on without it with confidence. The threat from petitions and ballots is a bother. Moral in a school is a very sensitive thing.

Ripon has a clear run now for at least five years. I hope it is omen that we can get on with the job and benefit from all the hard work"

Mr Slater said a difference of 20 pupils could make the difference between viability or closure for his school, the smallest grammar school in the county with 637 pupils.