Thomas Casemore

Growing up in an evangelical Christian household, it will hardly surprise you to learn that I was a big fan of C.S. Lewis’s fictional children’s series The Chronicles of Narnia. Pictured below is my own copy; one I pored over as a child, continue to deeply treasure, and look forward to reading to my own daughter in a few years’ time. When in 2005, Andrew Adamson’s film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, arrived in cinemas, I was amazed to see the story come to life. In subsequent years, it became one of my favourite films. As a boy, I wanted, and believed, that one day I could be brave like Peter. As I grew to understand the story as an older child, I perhaps increasingly wanted to believe that I could be redeemed like Edmund.

White British students have become a minority in England’s grammar schools. In 2026, white British children made up just 44 per cent of grammar-school pupils, compared to 66 per cent in 2016. Some cultures appear to have a different attitude towards education than some white British families This story, based on data from the DfE, has been reported on in various forms since June this year, but has now been picked up again by the press, and reposted by various people online, like Restore leader Rupert Lowe. What though is going on? Why has the proportion of white British students dropped so much? Having experienced grammar-schools both as a pupil and as a teacher, I feel I am well positioned to talk about this subject.

Last week, it was announced after much speculation that migrants would be housed in former military sites across the country; namely, RAF Barnham, MoD Bicester and RAF Linton-on-Ouse. I live in the nearest town near to RAF Barnham, Thetford, and on Sunday went along to a protest there about the accommodation plan. I have my own concerns about the move, given I live here with my wife and daughter. But I’m also a relatively new arrival to the area and so mainly went to hear from people who have been here for a longer time.