Selective schools have won critics over, says head

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After Labour came into power in 1997 legislation was created to allow parents to vote on the future of grammar schools in their area.

Ripon Grammar School, which is one of three schools which select pupils of the basis of ability in North Yorkshire, was subjected to a ballot where parents voted two-to-one in favour of keeping its selective status.

Headmaster Martin Pearman told the Yorkshire Post grammar schools had proved their worth as he celebrated the latest league table results.

New figures published today by the Department for Children, Schools and Families are expected to show that 98 per cent of pupils at the school reached the expected benchmark of getting five A* to C grades at GCSE.

Mr Pearman said good relationships between staff and pupils and support from the community were both key to success. "We benefit from not being a massive school. We have 830 pupils and this means every child is known as an individual. We know what they are capable of and what their strengths are.

"We also have a strong school community, whose support is demonstrated by the fact that they were able to raise more than 1m in less than a year to fund the creation of a new sports hall.

"I think grammar schools are popular with parents and I think the Government now like us as well. Parents like the choice we provide and the criticism of grammar schools has subsided."