Leave Southend's grammar schools alone - that was the stark message today as the Education Secretary signalled a new threat for their future.
Charles Clarke has already met with campaigners who tried to close down grammar schools in Kent and plans further discussions.
He insisted the future of grammars would be decided on whether they contributed to raising standards of achievement among all pupils.
When Labour came to power, it introduced rules allowing parents to trigger local ballots on converting grammars into comprehensives. The system failed to take off but now the issue of scrapping grammars has resurfaced.
Mr Clarke has urged campaigners to make their case against selective education on the basis of "education standards".
However, Andrew Baker, head at Westcliff High School for Boys, said: "The Government should leave grammar schools alone so we can get on with our job.
"Southend has a selective system and is one of the highest performing local education authorities in the country, in terms of public examinations."
Published Friday, December 13, 2002
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