Sir,

I am very much opposed to the Prime Minister’s desire to bring back the Grammar Schools. I am one of a family of four and my wife is also and we all sat and passed the Eleven Plus; also our three children.

However, I remember when I and six others left the village school, four others who failed stayed and then spent four years in a school that did not have the facilities to cope with this age group.

Since then, there have been many changes with the introduction of the secondary modern school, which was a big improvement, but again relied on selection. Then we moved on to the system that is operating today where all children are educated in the same school which is called comprehensive.

This has been well-received by parents and children and while we accept all children are different, division is done within the school. Grammar schools might work in our large cities, but most certainly not in rural areas without other outlets for those that fail the Eleven Plus.

No Mrs. May, do not turn the clock back 50 years to the grammar school days, but please, please see that all pupils can read and write when they leave school at 16.

Eric Howells,

Llanddewi Velfrey,