Some 155 comprehensive schools have been identified in a report as being “more socially selective” than the average grammar school in their admissions.
The report found that on average disadvantaged pupils who are eligible for free school meals are less likely to attend a top performing comprehensive even if they live nearby.
This trend has worsened over the last seven years due to the increase in the number of academies, which have more control over their admissions, the report by the Sutton Trust found.
On average grammar schools accept 9.2 percentage points fewer free school meals pupils than live in their catchment area.
