Ministers should drop all plans to do away with grammar schools in the wake of the "futile and expensive" ballot of parents at a North Yorkshire school, says the headteacher of a Southend grammar school.

Andrew Baker, head of Westcliff High School for Boys, spoke out as the House of Lords threw out the controversial ballot system - the first step towards converting grammar schools into comprehensives.

However, ministers have pledged to overturn the decision.

Mr Baker has urged the Government to think again over its policy to convert the last 163 grammar schools in England to comprehensives.

He said he knew of no plans at Southend's four grammars to ballot parents on changing the schools' status.

He said: "Selection is not outdated and is not elitist. The grammar schools in Southend are known for taking a very broad ability band.

Mr Baker added: "The grammar schools in this area are exceptionally well established and have a great deal of local support."

His comments came after two thirds of the 75 per cent of parents at Ripon Grammar School in North Yorkshire who voted last week voted to reject a change to comprehensive status.

Other ballots of parents could soon be held at schools in Kent, Birmingham, and in the London boroughs of Barnet and Sutton.

Mary Lubel, executive councillor for education on Southend Council, (Lib Dem, Westborough), said: "I think the grammar schools here are doing a good job but I think the system is elitist."

She added: "It is not within the power of any local authority to alter anything in the existing system. It is up to the parents to chose by ballot if they wish."

But Mr Baker, who is chairman of the South East Essex Association of Secondary Headteachers, said: "As far as Ripon is concerned I am delighted with the endorsement the parents gave it.

"I think that what might well happen now is that the Government will decide the ballot policy is not one they wish to pursue. I hope ministers will drop the idea for pushing ballots altogether."

He added: "Ballots are expensive and if they are merely going to give the same ringing endorsements of grammar schools as happened at Ripon School then they are a futile exercise."

Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls and Westcliff High School for Girls are also grammar schools.

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