What is a grammar school?
Q: What is a grammar school?
A: A grammar school is an academically-oriented secondary school in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries. It has been used for several centuries, originally teaching Latin but more recently focusing on academic subjects.
Q: How were grammar schools organised in England and Wales?
A: In the late Victorian era, grammar schools were reorganised for secondary education throughout England and Wales. Scotland had developed a different system.
Q: How did grammar schools become selective in the mid-20th century?
A: Grammar schools became "selective" in the mid-20th century after World War II by means of an 11+ test which included an IQ test designed to be based on native ability rather than taught learning.
Q: What efforts were made by Labour governments to replace grammar schools?
A: Labour governments in the 1960s and 70s made efforts to replace grammar schools with comprehensive schools, which are open to children of all abilities similar to high schools in the United States.
Q: What happened to many of these replaced or abolished grammar schools?
A: Many of these replaced or abolished grammar schools kept "grammar school" in their names, while others became fully independent and charged fees.
Q: How many state-run grammarschools still exist today?
A: There are currently 164 state-run grammar schools still existing today.
