To the Outside Observer

The BBC reports:

Secondary school pupils placed in low-ability sets often feel stigmatised as "thick", a study suggests.
Researchers at London University's Institute of Education said the system had to change to ensure these children did not lose motivation.
A survey of 5,000 pupils found they largely backed setting, but those in lower groups were more likely to prefer mixed-ability classes.
The government said "effective" setting raised overall academic standards.
The researchers found 62% of pupils preferred to be in sets, while 24% wanted mixed-ability classes.

My feeling is the other 14% didn't understand the question.