Twitter users mocked after trying to attack grammar schools but spelling it ‘grammer’ so often it started trending
TWITTER users trying to attack the re-introduction of grammar schools may have unwittingly given Theresa May ammunition for her plans to try and improve education.
It comes after they spelled the word grammar wrong so many times the incorrect version began trending on social media ahead of her speech.
Other users have started mocking those using #grammerschools for proving the Prime Minister's point about needing to raise standards, thereby making it an even bigger trend.
Many are saying it is ironic the wrong spelling is appearing in so many tweets, with one saying the person who started it: "Should have gone to a Grammar School!"
Another wrote: "If ever there was a reason to need grammar schools, this hashtag would be it."
In her first big speech on domestic policy since entering Number 10, Mrs May will claim that back-door selection by postcode and wealth is "unfair".
The premier will dismiss Labour's opposition to selection as sacrificing children's potential for "dogma and ideology".
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Mrs May will say: "We are going to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. A fundamental part of that is having schools that give every child the best start in life, regardless of their background.
"For too long we have tolerated a system that contains an arbitrary rule preventing selective schools from being established - sacrificing children's potential because of dogma and ideology.
"The truth is that we already have selection in our school system - and it's selection by house price, selection by wealth.
"That is why I am announcing an ambitious package of education reforms to ensure that every child has the chance to go to a good school.
"As well as allowing new selective schools, we will bring forward a new requirement that means universities who want to charge higher fees will be required to establish a new school or sponsor an existing under-performing school.
"This is about being unapologetic for our belief in social mobility and making this country a true meritocracy - a country that works for everyone."
Alistair Humphreys tweeted that: "The fact that is trending rather than suggests, if nowt else, that summat must be done about our schools..."
And another wrote: "A trend like is the whole bloody reason grammar schools need to exist."
Although some were willing to give the hashtag's creator the benefit of the doubt, and reckoned the whole thing might have been ironic, though others weren't so sure.
Ahead of the formal announcement Mrs May told the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives on the current state school system allows wealthier parents to ensure a place for their children at high-performing schools by buying homes in the catchment area.
But the Government's social mobility tsar, Labour former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, said grammars could be "a social mobility disaster".
And Labour's Angela Rayner warned MPs an expansion of grammar schools would "entrench inequality and disadvantage".
Rules stopping faith schools from selecting more than half of pupils according to religion are also set to be relaxed under the proposals.