Reform UK Considers New Grammar Schools Under Farage Leadership

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is contemplating the introduction of new grammar schools if the party secures victory in the next general election. This move would reverse the ban on the establishment of new selective schools, which was enacted by the Labour government in 1998. Currently, there are 163 grammar schools in England, with approximately 188,000 pupils enrolled as of January 2022. These schools admit students based on an entrance exam known as the 11-plus, taken at ages 10-11.

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A senior source within Reform UK indicated strong support for selective education among party members, emphasizing that the party does not believe in prohibiting options for the sake of prohibition. The source suggested that a Reform government could legislate to lift the ban on new grammar schools, allowing for their establishment as free schools—educational institutions set up outside local authority control by groups such as parents and charities. This approach would potentially minimize financial burdens while promoting educational selection.

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Suella Braverman, who transitioned from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, has been appointed as the party's education and skills spokeswoman. Braverman has previously expressed her support for new grammar schools, proposing that local referenda could determine their establishment. Farage has also been vocal about his belief in the benefits of grammar schools, describing the abolition of many such institutions in the 1960s and 1970s as “absolute wanton act of vandalism.” He argues that grammar schools provide opportunities for children from modest backgrounds to compete academically with those from wealthier families.

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The potential revival of grammar schools is expected to face significant opposition from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and various education unions. Comprehensive Future, an organization advocating against selective education, has criticized Reform UK's stance, noting that the party's leadership consistently favors academic selection and traditional educational hierarchies. The debate surrounding the merits and drawbacks of grammar schools remains contentious, with critics arguing that such systems exacerbate social inequality.

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As Reform UK continues to gain traction in opinion polls, the discussion surrounding new grammar schools is likely to re-emerge as a prominent issue in national politics. The party's commitment to this educational model could reshape the landscape of secondary education in England, reigniting debates over selection and access to quality education.

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• “I do believe in grammar schools,” — Nigel Farage, Leader of Reform UK

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• “When she was running to be the Conservative leader in 2022, Braverman said: “A government I lead would say yes to new grammar schools in any county that wants one (voted on at a local level).” — Suella Braverman, Education and Skills Spokeswoman, Reform UK

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This evolving narrative around grammar schools underlines the shifting dynamics in UK education policy, with Reform UK positioning itself as a proponent of selective education amidst a backdrop of significant political debate.

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