Downing Street refused four times on Monday morning to rule out lifting the ban on new grammar schools in England.
Asked what the Government’s stance on new grammar schools is now, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We have talked about grammar schools previously.
“The Prime Minister’s aim is to make sure that every child gets a good quality education.
“That’s why we are investing in schools, we are increasing the number of teachers and we will continue to do that as we level up across the country.”
Pressed on what the Government’s policy is on grammar schools, he added: “We have spoken about grammar schools previously.
“I don’t have an update here.”
Asked for a third time what the Prime Minister’s position is about opening new grammar schools, the spokesman responded: “I would have to check the specifics.
“He was asked a question about that at the end of last year, I would have to check exactly what he said.”
Questioned a fourth time on whether there is a change in the policy on new grammar schools, he said: “Let me take that one away.”
Ministers are reported to be considering overturning the current ban on new grammar schools, with the view being pushed that they could benefit previously “Red Wall” constituencies.
Grammar education supporters stress that around half of the country’s 163 such schools are in London and the South East, compared to none in the North East.
Earlier on Monday a minister told how he is encouraging grammar schools in London to expand.
Technology minister Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, said he has been backing existing grammar schools in the neighbouring borough of Sutton to create “satellite” sites which is allowed under existing laws.
Ministers are reported to be considering overturning the current ban on new grammar schools, with the view being pushed that they could benefit previously “Red Wall” constituencies.
Grammar education supporters stress that around half of the country’s 163 such schools are in London and the South East, compared to none in the North East.
Mr Philp, who himself went to St Olave’s grammar school in Orpington, told LBC Radio: “I would not have gone to Oxford and studied physics were it not for that grammar school. I would not be an MP and a minister were it not for that grammar school in south London.
“So, I personally feel very strongly about what grammar schools can do for local communities and for people from ordinary backgrounds like mine who otherwise might struggle to get on.
“So I do understand how important grammar schools can be for people from those sort of backgrounds.”
He added that he did not know where Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi stood on new grammar schools.
But he also explained: “There is this provision where an existing grammar school can open a satellite grammar school. That is allowed at the moment.
“A small number of grammar schools have done that.
“I have been encouraging the grammar schools in my next door borough, I’m in Croydon, Sutton is next door.
“I have been encouraging Sutton grammar schools to explore that.
“This is a different idea, which is about brand new grammar schools and it’s up to the Education Secretary to decide how he wants to take that forward.”
A small number of London boroughs have grammar schools including Kingston, Sutton, Bromley and Barnet.
