Vix Lowthion - green scarf

Isle of Wight MP questioned over support for Grammar Schools

Isle of Wight Green Party leader, Vix Lowthion has this morning written to Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner.

She’s seeking clarification on his stance on a Grammar School for the Isle of Wight.

Vix shares her email to Andrew Turner below.

In the Telegraph at the weekend, it was reported that Prime Minister Theresa May is considering reversing 20 years of UK education policy, and bringing back academic selection in schools through the building of new Grammar Schools.

Do you support this move? Back in the General Election debates last year, the BBC reported that only one of the candidates – from UKIP – thought a Grammar school would be beneficial for the children of the Isle of Wight. Do you still take this stance?

Campaigners for Grammar schools believe that they will improve social mobility and increase access to good schools for our young people. However, only 2% of students attending Grammar School in Kent qualify for free school meals. The reality of a Grammar school on the Island would be to increase the divide between the academic results of our schools, and condemn the vast majority of our 11 year olds to feeling like they are academic failures before their high school career has even begun.

I look forward to hearing your response.