Teaching helps me enjoy Grammar School

Following the proposals to scrap the 11-plus exam it not only upset me but also made me fear for the future of my beloved school. With the huge reform of our secondary education approaching, I loathe the current proposal and so-called 'resolution' to our island's problems. Removing the Grammar either to become a unified high school under four sites or altogether would be totally unacceptable, unbelievable and criminal. That school was and still is a top, top institution pushing and providing nothing but the best. To remove its high status and image on our island would be treacherous. My former English teacher Mrs Crisp always defended our school from the wrath of politicians and financiers who claim closing it would save £2m. a year, however they fail to consider that it would not save hundreds of invaluable educations to those who most deserve it.

Today as I sat in the school hall I witnessed many students stand on our stage to talk about our school in the head prefect team hustings. The words of commitment to improving the school for all staff and students were admirable and it made me consider just how integral and special the Grammar School is to me. It has never failed to deliver me opportunities and life lessons I would never have considered and to close the one school on the island accessible only through academic achievement is not only insane but deplorable. To even consider closing such a successful and upstanding institution, denying hundreds and hundreds of students the education they deserve, is shocking.

I have listened and considered people's views that it increases pressure on students in Year 6 as they try to gain the highest grade possible and claiming that selection is wrong, but the fact is life is all about selection. We must not be preparing these children as if life is all soft and fair, it isn't – something I learned when I got my first job at the weekends. Throughout stages of all our lives we as individuals and academics are constantly judged on what we have achieved and I see education to be no different. We have seen recently the report of La Mare praising its increasing standards, showing that it is neither the quality of the building nor the curriculum studied but the attitude to learning developed by the students and provided by the teaching staff.

The teaching at Grammar is exemplary and this the same reason I enjoy getting up and going to school in the morning (which for a 16-year-old may sound surprising). My teachers are dedicated and hardworking, providing me with the greatest potential and aspirations. In Year 12 we have been joined by many students from different schools and it is clear to me that many are better academically than I am, solidifying my confidence in our current secondary education system.

I feel it is my duty to defend and advertise to islanders the integrity and passion of my school and that its closure would be more unfair to the individuals who are denied its fantastic experience.

I hope this sheds some light on someone actually in the system currently and loving every moment of it.

Many thanks.

KIT HANNAH