The amendments introduced yesterday (Wednesday) to the Education and Skills Bill will help to make school admissions fairer. Much has been done to end covert selection BUT thousands of children in England continue to face overt selective entry tests for secondary education. These numbers are growing.

CLPs have an opportunity now to press for a change of policy to include a commitment to end to selection on ability and aptitude. CLPs are encouraged to hold meetings to submit amendments to the draft final year Partnership in Power documents from now on. I would be grateful if LabourHome readers might consider suggesting amendments to the Education and Skills document at forthcoming branch or CLP meetings - I suggest some wording below. Details are on the members section of the Labour party website under 'resources'. Consultation ends on June 20th by which time CLP secretaries should submit amendments.

There is plenty of supporting material on the Comprehensive Future website www.comprehensivefuture.org.uk or you can send me an email - mike-ion@hotmail.co.uk
 
The suggested textual amendments to the Partnership in Power: Education and Skills are as follows:
 
Page 9
There are two alternative amendments we suggest - both for line 47 following 'Code' They are -
 
We now intend to go further and ensure no child has to face selective entry tests for secondary education (except banding) by ending selection on ability and aptitude.
 
Or
However many English children continue to face overt selective entry tests on ability and aptitude in order to transfer to secondary education. We intend to commission a wide ranging study on how this affects children, families, schools and educational attainment.
 
Note
Ending selection on ability and aptitude would support the following –
 
Social justice is about opening up the doors of opportunity – Gordon Brown’s letter
 
‘our commitment to give every child the chance to unlock their talent and narrow the gap in educational achievement between the most disadvantaged young people and their peers’. Page 2 line 19
 
Labour wants every child to make good progress at school and reach their full potential. That is why we will do more to tackle barriers to learning and focus on individual needs of every child. Page 7 line 42
 
Our firm belief is that every young person has a talent and everyone should have the opportunity to use that talent. Page 8 line 44
 
We must close the gap in attainment between disadvantaged young people and their peers and raise the aspirations of all young people. Page 9 line 5
 
But members agree that we need to raise the aspirations of young people, especially those from low aspirational families and communities.  Page 9 line 39