Promote equality by all means, yes -- but this is not promoting equality.  There's a difference not being taken into account.  "Arty" kids, for example, regardless of what ethnic group or economic group they were born into through no fault of their own -- do we blame a kid for being white and middle class and take opportunity away from them -- are often just lost, bored and underachieving in "regular" schools.  So, yeah, let's screw them over in the name of equality.  Or -- make more such opportunities for more kids.  More specialty schools, not fewer, is the way to go.