Letter: A lesson for schools

Sir: One iniquitous aspect of the 11-plus exam ("Third of grammars under threat", 1 September), which is overlooked by its defenders, is that of sexual bias. Girls generally score better than boys in the exam.

It follows therefore that, if an equal number of places in grammar schools are allocated for both sexes, there will be a proportion of the intake of boys who do not score as high as a number of girls who "fail" to gain a place.

Some "bright" girls are thus discriminated against and some boys are thrust into an environment to which they are not academically suited. At comprehensive schools all children start on an equal basis and are able to develop their abilities at their own pace in a range of subjects suited to them.

WENDY COX

GEOFF COX

Rugby, Warwickshire