Justine Greening blasts Labour MPs for opposing grammars despite sending their children to selective schools
A £60million 'opportunity areas' scheme will help children in some of England’s most disadvantaged regions
LABOUR has been accused of “rank hypocrisy” for opposing new grammar schools despite Shadow Ministers sending their children to selective schools.
In her keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference this afternoon the Education Secretary Justine Greening attacked Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign against the policy.
The Labour leader, who himself went to a grammar school, is leading his party’s opposition to the Government’s education plans and was taken to task this afternoon.
Ms Greening said it is “classic Labour: do as I say . . . not as I do”.
She said: “We talk about postcode lotteries….
“But unless you can afford to move to the right area, education has been the ultimate postcode lottery.
“That’s why our green paper is asking how we can create more great school places in more parts of the country, including selective places.
“I talked about having a level playing field.
“Grammar schools have a track record of closing the attainment gap between children on free school meals and their better off classmates.
“That’s because in grammars, those children on free school meals progress twice as fast as the other children, so the gap disappears.
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“And 99% of grammars schools are rated good or outstanding.
“But in spite of this, Labour’s approach to grammars is: close these schools down.
“And it’s rank hypocrisy.
“Because Labour Shadow Ministers send their children to grammars too.
“It’s classic Labour: do as I say… not as I do.”
In her conference speech she also announced a £60million programme to introduce so-called “opportunity areas” to help children in some of England’s most disadvantaged regions.
The scheme will be trialled in Blackpool, Derby, Norwich, Oldham, Scarborough, and West Somerset - with four more areas set to be announced later.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Ms Greening said the schemes would give children "the best start in life, no matter what their background".
The programme will see a combination of measures aimed at improving access to education and opportunities - with a focus on teacher support and school improvement along with careers advice, mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities.
Ms Greening said: "This Conservative Government is determined to build a country that works for everyone, and education is at the heart of that ambition. Opportunity areas will help local children get the best start in life, no matter what their background.
"Ensuring all children can access high-quality education at every stage is critical. This is about giving children in these areas the right knowledge and skills, advice at the right time, and great experiences.
"My department will work with local authorities, education and skills providers, businesses, and the wider community, not just to focus on what we can do to help inside schools, but also create the opportunities outside school that will raise sights and broaden horizons for young people."
The £60 million of opportunity area funding will support local education providers and communities to address the biggest challenges in the 10 areas.
The areas will also be given priority in accessing a new £75 million fund to improve teaching and school leadership in some of the poorest performing parts of the country.