Schools: Satellite Sites

Lord Lea of Crondall Excerpts

Tuesday 27th March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hill of Oareford]

It is nice to hear the contrary view put by my noble friend. Clearly, for the people who benefited, a grammar school education acted as an extremely powerful rocket booster for their opportunities in life. However, there were large numbers of children for whom that was not the case. The Government are trying to focus on raising standards for all children, recognising that children of differing abilities need a good education—whether it is a core academic education or a core technical and vocational education—and that we need a range of schools that will meet those needs.

[Lord Lea of Crondall]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the point put so succinctly by the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Birmingham—I never expected to be saying this—is very widely shared in this House?

[Lord Hill of Oareford]

My Lords, I am sorry—I did not catch the beginning of the question.

[Lord Lea of Crondall]

The point put so succinctly by the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Birmingham, is shared very widely in this House. Is the Minister aware of that?

[Lord Hill of Oareford]

My Lords, I am now more aware than I was a moment ago. My answer is the same. I recognise that there is that perception—and that in some cases it is more than a perception, it is true. However, that is something that all of us want to get away from.