Ruling out academic selection will harm the disadvantaged

Today in a statement that was either a classic piece of spin or (perhaps more likely for once) clearly demonstrated the naivety of New Labour thinking, Ruth Kelly has ruled out academic selection.

If schools are allowed to select, but not on ability, the selection process will be manipulated at the expense of children from difficult backgrounds.

Selecting based on; examination of postcode; whether both parents attend the interview; whether the parents are married and perhaps; the age of parents, will give something of an assurance about the behaviour of a child and the level of support they will get at home – and this is what will happen.

Unfortunately, this will serve to lock disadvantaged children into bad schools and they, once again, will be disadvantaged by poor policy from the Labour Party.  This could include children with true ability from difficult backgrounds who would end up being trapped.

There is a separate argument to be had about the rights and wrongs of academic selection.  But to suggest that ruling out selection by ability makes things Ok is just laughable.