- Middle class children were more likely to qualify for grammar school and working class children were more likely to go to secondary modern schools – this reinforced social class differences.
- They legitimated and reproduced both class and gender inequalities.
- This appears to give control to all parents, but conceals inequality as middle class parents are more able to take advantage of the choices available.
- Higher standards and greater efficiency may be produced by competition.
- League tables; opting out; business sponsorship; publication of Ofsted inspection reports; open enrolment.
- They appear to encourage working class students, but they still face difficulties, such as higher education fees; grammar schools and private/public schools still provide privilege.
