Queen’s Speech: Grammar school expansion abandoned

The creation of a new wave of grammar schools in England has been ditched from the government’s plans.

The Queen’s Speech says the government will “look at all options” for opening new schools, but that will not include removing the current ban on expanding selection. The controversial plan to stop free lunches for all infants is also absent. This takes away the biggest source of extra funding promised for schools in the Conservative manifesto.

The government, setting out its plans for the next two years, has not announced any legislation for education. This means dropping their most high profile proposed education reform – the expansion of selective education in England. Read more