Why do poorer children not get into grammar schools and what can we do to improve it?

This is jokes. Sorry I mean.

I'm quite poor (compared to the people in my school).

I go to Watford Grammar School For Boys.

Basically, I understand that the richer kids do have an advantage, their parents tend to be (usually) smarter, more "parent-friendly" resulting in kids being better.

On the other hand, you get fresh poor parents like mine, who travel across the world or borders to get to the UK. Not much experience. They're great I guess for the fact they want you to do well. Struggle on actually helping their kids out. Like my parents I know want me to do well, but the way they show that is quite difficult and kinda impacts me negatively.

On the whole the point I'm making is, poorer children have less chance of going into grammar schools because their parents ain't as "parenty" as the rich kids. Furthermore, my view will be challenged and probably seen as wrong, and gladly would respond to responses.

This is coming from a not so well off guy.

Good day.

I appreciate your point but I'm not sure as to which points you're disputing.My parents also have very few qualifications and have struggled to help me from a very young age, so I do understand myself that there are exceptions to the statistics in the article.Was the actual research article 'jokes' or just the thread itself?

Two reasons.

1. Higher income families can afford to pay for extra tuition to help the kids pass entrance exams and get place etc.

2. Middle-class people often swarm around Grammar school catchment areas. Buying up houses and driving up prices.


Right now many Grammar school pupils are from pretty well off families that decided to save themselves the cost of private school fees.

Most Grammar schools in the UK have gone but those that have remained are mostly populated by middle class kids.


They are not aiding social mobility as much as they should be. A lot clearly needs to change.


*No leftie btw.

poor areas often have worse schools so those kids will have a worse start to their education
their parents will be less likely to help them with homework etc
their parents may be less likely to value education or prioritise it
parents who do value education may simply not have the understanding of how the application system works as they have no experience of it
those children are less likely to get 'extra' e.g. access to sports, books, music lessons etc

Just an honest, aware citizen

Absolutely.

Makes me think of people like Nick Clegg and David Cameron. They sent their kids to Grammar schools.

Those places could go to children from poorer backgrounds.

Clegg's wife earns £500,000 a year.

Cameron and his wife are well off.

Obviously they had more than one motive (mainly public image) but I definitely believe Grammar schools shouldn't exist to serve people who are in that sort of financial position.

You don't need to be rich, or even slightly rich to get into a grammar school. If you're naturally smart, you get in. If you are rich, you have a slight advantage, but it doesn't affect the outcome too much. Also, poorer children tend to be less smarter because of their genes. Smart people tend to take high paying occupations, so they will be rich. Stupid people can't and won't get good grades (whether they are in grammar schools or not), so they become poor, and their stupid children grow up in a impoverish atmosphere, giving an illusion that money grants you intelligence.

@defenestrated

title is me af

Absolutely.

Makes me think of people like Nick Clegg and David Cameron. They sent their kids to Grammar schools.