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Letter: Adding perspective to the debate
Having had children attached to both selective and non-selective schools, I feel I can add some additional perspective to the grammar school debate.
I feel that the selective system definitely perpetrates social division. The main reason for this is that bright children from disadvantaged homes are not really given the support they need to enter the schools, or maintain places.
If they do manage to pass the 11-plus, they are often marginalised due to living in the wrong part of town and other similar factors.
Thank goodness that so many of the old secondary schools are doing such a fantastic job and creating opportunities for children whose lives are not easy and who don't have parents constantly chasing them to do their homework.
I was recently inspired by a speech by Duncan Bannatyne (of Dragon's Den) who passed the 11-plus and was sent to a grammar school. He said that he and another boy stood out – they were the only ones without the uniform. It says it all, doesn't it? Needless to say he left school with no qualifications due to the stigmatising situation he was in, but look what he achieved with his ability.
Thankfully, all the children in Boston now have the opportunity to go to good schools, as demonstrated by the recent GCSE results, and yes, the added values scores are the key issue.
We should be 100 per cent behind all the heads and teachers in all our schools, but particularly the schools which are non-selective and give children from all backgrounds the opportunity to succeed.
DEBBIE BRACKNER
Wyberton Low Road, Boston
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Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: East
