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Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:41 GMT 12:41 UK

Several commenters have mentioned Grammar Schools. I say, how about schools which *teach grammar*? Social mobility must surely be helped by the teaching of a uniformly high level of formal written English. Formal language is not the whole of communication, but it has its place. We can't escape our regional accents easily, but a prince and a pauper can converse in writing without either realising the status of the other. Writing is the great leveller of social class.

Adam Wasenczuk, Eastleigh

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:41 GMT 12:41 UK

Introducing no-fee degrees will only encourage students from poorer backgrounds to consider only their nearest Higher Education Institution - rather than the ones which will actually help them get into the professions.

Mary, Devon

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:39 GMT 12:39 UK

A child well educated in the struggles of a nation for equal rights & justicel, supported by a similarly aware family, is more likely to be able to continually work hard, due to confidence to claim rewards & rights to available resources.

Eff Catzzz

Great post if you can find it. A testimonial the the unemployable underclass who have "rights" but not responsibilities.

Steve Edwards, Bishop's Stortford, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:35 GMT 12:35 UK

The most affluent families can afford to buy the best education for their kids, meaning that from an even starting point (ability wise), the better educated will always have an advantage.

Is this a surprise?

[IslandLogic], London, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:31 GMT 12:31 UK

IMHO one of the biggest problems in widening access is the newspaper league tables. One of the factors those take into account is entry points. So if you want to make special allowance for potentially good students from weaker schools by dropping the entry points on specific offers, you are scuppered. Widening access by that means will simply take you further down the league table and universities don't like that for obvious reasons. It's a self-reinforcing cycle that benefits no-one.

Roy Smith, Burntwood

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK

I applied to read Medicine having achieved record-breaking at my secondary school and high grades but was unsuccessful. It is difficult for the middle-class to compete with with students from private institutions since richer students can afford to spend time and money on courses that "feed" them what they need to succeed in applying to Medical School, where people with lower incomes work hard so they can pay for application and entry exam fees, let alone join sports teams or have music lessons.

Anonymous, Derby

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:20 GMT 12:20 UK

Of course it doesn't hold you back!
I grew up in a "deprived" family, and I had the sense to realise for myself that I had to take responsibility and look after my own life. I now have a well paid professional career.
Working hard is not dependant on how rich your family is. "Class" is only a barrier if you allow it to become your excuse for not doing what you wanted to do.

Tim Northyorks

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:19 GMT 12:19 UK

I was born in a ditch just outside Rotherham and raised by penniles gypsies in rags. But did I complain? NO! I got off my backside, studied 23 hours a day and won a scholarship to Sandhurst. I am now Chief of Staff with the Rwandan Navy - a position I obtained entirely through my own merits. I certainly didn't need a lift up from the nanny state and neither should these scrounging ne'er do wells who think 'we' all owe 'them' a living.

Michael B, EDINBURGH

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK

Digby Jones yesterday - a terrific commentary
Also right on point: the Chzeck woman - people like her and D Jones are the role models the UK needs by word and by deed. The old fashioned values of resourcefulness, initiative, hard work and using your imagination - as well as taking sensible risk in exch for sensible reward. No begging bowl mentality from them - face outwards and fight, fight, fight. Humility and optimism now, practical steps but this is the right leadership message.

Pete MacDonald, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK

"Also a interesting point is that my friend whilst obv being a v. clever individual - never got into Grammer school at the year 11 tests. Though he did his A-Levels in a Grammer school. Goes to show that the year 11 tests are not reliable" shelley court, poole


Is any Test 100% reliable?

This was recognised at the time, which is why there were arrangements whereby pupils could transfer from Sec Mod to Grammar at the end of the first year or later at O\A Level stage

[Artemesia], United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 11:01 GMT 12:01 UK

At the start of my first lesson on my first day at my new comprehensive school at the age of 11 in 1972 our tutor said that 'none of us had a chance'.

The problem isn't class its comprehensive education. It fails proportionately more disadvantaged pupils than middle income earners.

Like many people I am now making a considerable sacrifice to send a child to a private school - its the only hope.

New Labour has worsened the comprensive system by removing the concept of responsibility.

Petet, Portsmouth

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK

Sorry to harp on about the 'old days'!

Secondary Schools of whichever type had only c400 pupils

The Sec Mods usually had two Streams and the Grammars three with fluidity between the Streams

As mentioned previously, there was fluidity between the two types of School

Opportunities were there for those who aspired and applied themselves so that by and large, mobility had already taken place before we left School

Discriminating at the Universtity entrance stage is leaving it too late?

[Artemesia], United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK

>> Most modern universities are jumped up polytechnics offering degrees in nothing of use. Their only purpose is to keep students off the unemployment figures for three years.

Barry, Manchester

Barry, this assertion really doesn't make sense. such a strategy would work for exactly three years.

Alan Trevennor, Salisbury, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 10:50 GMT 11:50 UK

Only with crime. If you are one of the average Joes, you need to look over your shoulder. If however, you are an MP or a banker you are above the law.......

Keiron Stoneman, Newton Abbot

Added: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 10:45 GMT 11:45 UK

What disadvantaged student is going to put themselves through the decade of training to become a doctor, dentist or top-flight lawyer when it will cost them £5000pa in debt? When grant funding returns to being provided based on merit, not background, the poor students with the intelligence to go all the way will emerge. While loans are offered to poor students the underqualified will continue to cruise through 'soft' subjects and those with the ambition can't afford the education they deserve.

[Beakysian], Durham, United Kingdom