The Solihull Adventure: an attempt to reintroduce selective schooling

Abstract

In September 1983 it was announced that Solihull Metropolitan Borough was considering reintroducing selective education in its secondary school system. This article documents the concerted opposition to the proposals that developed amongst parents, teachers, politicians and others which led to the idea being soundly voted out in 1984. The nature of this opposition is discussed, and it is argued that, while on the surface the defeat might be seen as a victory for the ideals of comprehensive education, a deeper analysis shows that support of those ideals was not at the forefront of the opposition.