About the book
Grammar Schools
Few educational questions divide opinion as persistently as grammar schools. Supporters see academic selection as a route to opportunity and excellence; critics argue that dividing children at an early age reinforces inequality and narrows the chances available to those who are not selected.
Grammar Schools traces the history behind that argument and explains why it remains unfinished. The book considers selection, the eleven-plus, social mobility, local provision and the experiences of pupils and families, placing policy changes within their wider social context. It avoids treating either nostalgia or criticism as a complete answer, instead examining what grammar schools achieved, whom they served and what their existence meant for the rest of the education system. Accessible and balanced in approach, it is intended for readers interested in British education, social history and the continuing debate about ability, fairness and opportunity.