A respected secondary school teacher has poured scorn on Government plans to expand grammar schools.

Simon Jackson, headteacher at Keswick School, has penned a scathing criticism of the grammar school system, saying it is so divisive it can split families and communities apart.

That view contrasts starkly with that of Prime Minister Theresa May.

She has staunchly defended reviving grammar schools, arguing that in recent years more able pupils had been held back by an ideology that has until now blocked pupil selection by academic performance.

But Mr Jackson said: “The grammar school agenda is a class debate not a mechanism for raising standards. Grammar schools are divisive and can split families and communities apart. They can have a hugely detrimental impact on students who struggle in an environment of enormous academic pressure and who consider themselves as failures from the outset.

“Students who don’t get in can feel equally disenfranchised just at the time when they should be excited about discovering and learning new things at secondary school. The success of a school has nothing to do with selection or intake.

“Success is entirely down to school culture and ethos.”

Mr Jackson went on to spell out what he feels is a more inclusive education philosophy that promotes all-round achievement that goes beyond the academic.

He added: “A positive culture is established by a progressive staff, a caring and supportive governing body and students and parents who feel part of their school community.

“It’s by working together, in partnership, that success in all its forms, not just academic, can be realised.

“At Keswick School we serve young people from all backgrounds and abilities and we are immensely proud of what they go on to achieve.

“We have a culture of working in partnership – teachers, governors, students and parents working together to support the aspirations and ambitions of young people.

"It is the quality of the care and support we put in place that means that students from a disadvantaged background achieve as highly as any other student.

"As a non-selective school our results are better than those of many grammar schools and our students are happy and enjoy coming to school.”