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Independent school spokesman calls for selection at 14

Posted on 30th January 2009

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Academic selection for 14-year-olds should be adopted in England, an independent school spokesman has stated.

Writing in the Times Educational Supplement, secretary of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference Geoff Lucas has suggested that if government funding were provided, this would tempt private schools to accept more high-achieving pupils from a range of backgrounds.

"The low-cost option [for the state] of making use of the world-class selective schools in the independent sector should be seriously explored," he commented.

Mr Lucas was writing in the wake of plans in Northern Ireland, where education minister Caitriona Ruane has backed academic selection at 14, after pledging to abolish the 11-plus in the country.

He added that he believes that selection at would "open up an academic stream for the talented", which is "essential for our economic wellbeing".

In a letter to the Independent yesterday, headmaster of Bradfield College Peter Roberts urged the government to back a "well-rounded" education, rather than encouraging schools to specialise in a specific subject area.