Whether or not our secondary education sees a return to selective “Grammar“ Schools or not there is a danger that the debate will focus on academic achievement to feed the UK’s bloated (financial / advertising / legal / media ) services sectors and ignore technical training and skills.

I recall friends who having “failed” the 11+ went to technical schools and from there to polytechnics to build on their engineering aptitude. Some became plumbers or electricians or telecoms engineers. Had this model continued to be pursued and adequately funded perhaps we would not be as dependent on migrant labour now. At university I would mix with civil, chemical, and electrical engineers who as well as technical skills also possessed academic abilities. I have a number of German friends with an engineering background who can still discuss philosophy and world history with the brightest output from Oxbridge.

Perhaps it is the way we look down on non academic pupils and those with a trade or skill that makes academic selection at 11 so divisive. A greater concentration on technical education — no doubt alongside the continuous tinkering with academic models — might have proved a fairer and more fruitful investment over the last 40 years or so.

We are in danger of making a similar mistake this time around if we allow ourselves to accept the belief that academic success alone is the only way to provide a better future for our children and grandchildren.