MP DAVID Chaytor has called for an end to aptitude selection of pupils in specialist schools.

And he won an early Commons victory when his Bill calling for the repeal of the current law was accepted this week.

The Labour backbencher suspects that some secondary schools are using this form of selection to "cherry pick" their pupils. Comprehensive schools are not allowed to select by ability, although specialist schools can select up to ten per cent of their intake by aptitude.

Mr Chaytor fears that, with the number of specialist schools set to soar, more of them will be tempted to select in this way.

"The concept of selection by aptitude is intellectually suspect," he said. "Aptitude cannot be objectively tested. Selection by aptitude encourages dubious admissions procedures. It conflicts with the new approach whereby schools are encouraged to share their expertise.

"Repealing the existing rules which permit selection by aptitude is the next logical step in preventing a rigid hierarchy of schools emerging and building a modern comprehensive system which guarantees equality of opportunity for every child."

Mr Chaytor outlined four arguments for scrapping this form of selection.

"Firstly, no-one has yet given a satisfactory definition of the distinction between aptitude and ability.

"Secondly, there are no standardised tests for aptitude that are not also tests of ability. How, for example, can a pupil be tested for aptitude in mathematics in a way that does not also assess ability?

"Thirdly, there is increasing evidence that some specialist schools are using the aptitude rule to covertly increase their selectivity at the expense of neighbouring schools.

"Fourthly, the Government's new emphasis on collaboration and specialism as the driver of school improvement in all schools makes selection in any form increasingly inappropriate."

Mr Chaytor's Bill was passed by 135 votes to 92, and now goes forward to its second reading.