Petition · past parliament
Stop plans to allow more secondary schools to select children by ability.
Closed
795 signatures
What the petition asks
Selection harms children, divides communities and lowers overall attainment. The 11+ exam is inherently unfair - evidence shows that it selects on the basis of prior opportunity and social background. Poorer children, including high ability poor children, lose out most.
Children who fail the 11+ suffer a severe blow to their self-esteem and motivation at a critical time in their development.
Figures suggest that these children (70-80% of the total) go on to do worse at secondary modern than they would have at a comprehensive.
Selective areas have the largest achievement gaps in the country.
In fully selective Bucks, the 11+ pass rate for FSM children was 4% in 2014, compared to 20% for state pupils and 53% for private school pupils.
Figures suggest that these children (70-80% of the total) go on to do worse at secondary modern than they would have at a comprehensive.
Selective areas have the largest achievement gaps in the country.
In fully selective Bucks, the 11+ pass rate for FSM children was 4% in 2014, compared to 20% for state pupils and 53% for private school pupils.
Timeline
| 15 Sep 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 15 Mar 2017 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
795
Status
Closed
Opened
15 Sep 2016
Closed
15 Mar 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.