YP Letters: Grammar school claims lack evidence

DYLAN Jardine clearly has the makings of a Conservative politician in the Michael Gove and Boris Johnson mould (The Yorkshire Post, August 15). Some of his assertions are almost worthy of Donald Trump.

He, too, clearly has had enough of experts, many of his claims are evidence-free. For example “the historic success of grammar schools as a means of increasing social mobility is difficult to refute; invaluable in aiding significant numbers of children from modest backgrounds...”

Perhaps he might start by reading Entry in Grammar Schools in England from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, where he will find: “As has been shown before in 2006, grammar schools contain a much smaller proportion of pupils from deprived backgrounds than other state-funded schools in the same local authority. Poorer students are significantly less likely to attend a grammar school. This is true both in terms of the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and based on their scores.”

Other research indicates that the overall performance of pupils in selective authorities is inferior to comprehensive ones.

Brutal, pseudo-Darwinian assertions indicate an attitude that is as breathtakingly arrogant as it is ignorant.

From: Brian Sheridan, Redmires Road, Sheffield.

WAYNE Chadburn’s letter is typical of Labour’s commitment to comprehensive schools despite the evidence that they have lamentably failed the children they were designed to help (The Yorkshire Post, August 11). Education by postcode has resulted in rising house prices in the catchment areas of the best schools and only those who can afford it moving to those areas.

Your correspondent argues that proportionately many more children at comprehensive schools claim free meals than at grammar schools. Well, of course they would: there are no longer any grammar schools in poor areas.

Mr Chadburn rightly asserts that “we need more policy rooted in evidence and research”. Such a policy will require more foresight than the concept of comprehensive schools.

From: Ron Munton, Station Road, Normanton.

I WISH to comment on the article by Rachel Reeves (The Yorkshire Post, August 18) regarding former Leeds MP Alice Bacon and the poor opportunities for boys in Normanton who failed their 11-plus exams.

The children attending Normanton Secondary Modern School were given second chances to attend other schools. Three of my friends later attended Whitwood Technical College at Castleford and later had successful careers.

In the late 1930s, there were several large engineering firms in Wakefield and Normanton boys could find apprenticeships, and other jobs there, as well as at local authorities. By no means were all boys destined for life down the pits.

Incidentally I attended Normanton Grammar School from 1939, and a large proportion of the boys there were sons of miners.

Recipe for bus chaos

From: Colin Cawthray, Stow Garth, Bridlington.

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn wants buses under public control. He wants local authorities to have franchising powers over their bus networks.

Can you imagine Leeds City Council in charge of public transport after the debacle of 
the last 20 or so years? Their failure in bringing any sort of a new transport system was abysmal. Leeds City Council would have difficulty in running a children’s merry-go-round.

From: Maureen Thompson, Boughton Hall, Chester.

YOUR correspondent B Murray of Sheffield suggests OAPs pay a pound for a bus pass. Instead, why not pay the fare from time to time? Conscience cleared and bus company profits increased.

Cruel abuse of elephants

From: Marjorie Lishman, Rosecroft, East Keswick, Leeds.

WORLD Elephant Day took place this month and I would like to bring your readers attention 
to the plight of elephants 
used in tourism, festivals and temples across India and South East Asia.

Baby and calf elephants are often beaten, and sometimes killed, with hammers, iron bars and knives during their training for a life of abuse in tourism, festivals and temples.

The organisation Save The Asian Elephants is working to raise public awareness and to exert influence on governments and the tourist industry to stop these brutal activities.

Olympics and big money

From: Canon Michael Storey, Healey Wood Road, Brighouse.

YOUR Comment on the Olympics and Lottery funding (The Yorkshire Post, August 16) was very interesting.

While it has been wonderful to watch and share in the 
success of Team GB, I just wonder if something of the Olympic spirit is being lost.

It appears that finance through Lottery money (the 
Max factor) is very much at 
the core of our success and, I think, does not provide a level playing field.

It seems to mean that those with financial backing win – and the poor countries have little chance.

Is that the true Olympic Spirit, I wonder?

From: Ryan Thomas, Horsforth, Leeds.

WHY has the IOC not 
intervened and ordered 
the organisers of the Rio 
Olympics to give unsold 
tickets to families from the favelas?