New research published today by the Sutton Trust has found that there are 155 secondary comprehensives in England that are more socially selective than the average grammar school.
The Trust’s Selective Comprehensives 2024 report finds that, on average, pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) are less likely to attend a top performing comprehensive even if there is one in their area. This has not improved since 2016, and there are some indications that it has got worse.
Looking at the top 500 schools by the Attainment 8 metric, on average these schools take 40% fewer pupils eligible for FSM than the average comprehensive. A third of this gap is attributable to the location of these schools in more affluent areas. Higher house prices in these areas pose a significant barrier to the families of disadvantaged children who are far less likely to be able to afford to live in these catchment areas.
However, living near a top performing school is not enough, with two thirds of the gap explained by unequal access within local areas. These schools have 30% fewer pupils eligible for FSM than live in the catchment areas they draw from, due to a combination of factors including parent choices and schools’ often complicated admissions criteria.
