How Labour will use parents to close down grammar schools

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In its latest assault on selective education, it plans to simplify the process by which heads can be compelled to scrap academic selection.

Education Minister Jim Knight wants to shake up the complicated balloting process, introduced in 1998, which allows parents to end selection at their local grammar school.

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Opponents claim grammars 'cream off' the brightest pupils and damage comprehensive schools (Posed by models)

Under the current three-stage system, ten parents are required to trigger a petition, which must then be signed by 20 per cent of all parents in the affected area before a full local vote takes place.

The process is so complex that only one full ballot, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, in 2000, has gone ahead so far. And that failed to end selection to the local grammar school.

Officials from the Department for Children, Schools and Families are expected to complete an investigation into voting arrangements by the end of the year.

Options to be considered are shortening the process required to trigger the full ballot or lowering the number of petitioners required to trigger it.

Another is to allow anti-grammar campaigners early access to a full database of parents eligible to vote, although this would require alterations to the dataprotection laws.

Mr Knight insisted it was "absolutely right" that parents had the power to abolish selection.

A Whitehall source added: "Jim has signalled that the focus is returning to grammar schools. It is a recognition that there are issues that need looking at."

England's 164 state grammar schools have become a totemic political issue dividing Left and Right.

Many Tories see them as vital for a meritocratic society by giving opportunities to children from families who cannot afford a private education.

But Labour believes grammars "cream off" the brightest pupils and damage comprehensive schools.

David Cameron has promised existing grammars would be safe under the Tories, although no new ones would be built.