My own thoughts is that for the past 50 years the sole aim of the education system is to produce academics (clones of themselves) at the end of the education process. Yes we do need academics' but also we need builders, engineers etc
Look at young children play, they want to create, the comprehensive system has slowly squeezed all practical creation out of the education system, demanding academic excellence causing greater mental illness in the young and record numbers of those who take themselves out of education.
My daughters old secondary school thrives, it is supposed to be a comprehensive, but is both selective and keeps to its Grammar school, name, ethos and practices. Its not the environment every child can shine in, but allows the more academic to thrive. Those with more practical skills need a different environment which can allow them to develop their own skill sets.