COUNCILLORS have admitted they have “no powers” to influence grammar school admissions after calls to boost the number of local children securing spots.
A motion debated at the council’s cabinet meeting on Monday asked the administration to explore an action plan aimed at increasing the number of Southend children securing places at the city’s four grammar schools.
It also called for work to address stark differences between primary schools in the number of pupils sitting the exam, and for a review of support available to high achieving pupils from poorer backgrounds.
But Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children, learning and SEND, dismissed the proposal, calling it “misconceived” and warning raising the number of pupils taking the 11 plus would not translate into more grammar school places for Southend families.
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He said grammar schools had never been reserved for Southend pupils and were independent academies with their own admissions powers.
“We can’t tell them how many local kids are taken,” he said.
“All that would happen if we crammed in a load more Southend kids is you’d get more passing the 11 plus, but then not ending up with a space. I don’t see how that’s in anyone’s interest.”
Mr Burton, a teacher and former 11 plus tutor, also warned against pressuring borderline pupils.
“If a child is crammed to get through and ends up one of the weakest at a grammar school, that can be damaging,” he said.
“It is not a disaster for a bright child not to go to a grammar school.”
Council leader Daniel Cowan criticised what he described as “snobbery” behind the motion.
“The idea that the only decent education is a grammar school education is wrong and dangerous,” he said.
“Selective education should not overshadow the quality of comprehensive education or the need to improve primary schools.”
However, Conservative group leader James Courtenay said grammar schools remained “one of the greatest levellers,” arguing that children from less advantaged backgrounds were missing out because some primary schools put forward dozens of pupils while others entered virtually none.
He accused the administration of being “ideologically opposed” to selective education.
Council officers advised that supporting grammar-school specific initiatives could breach admissions law, including the Greenwich Judgement, which prevents prioritising pupils solely based on living within the city boundary.
The cabinet agreed to reject the motion and instead focus on wider school improvement priorities.
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