Poor children less likely to go to the top universities if they live in an area with grammar schools, study finds
Researchers say 'opportunity gap' is bigger in neighbourhoods with selective schools
DISADVANTAGED children are less likely to go to the best universities if they live in an area with grammar schools, new analysis of official figures has found.
Researchers say the “opportunity gap” between the most deprived kids and their wealthier peers is bigger where there are selective schools in the neighbourhood.
And children who are eligible for free school meals are less likely to go to either Oxford or Cambridge if they live near a grammar school.
Labour’s analysis will come as a damning blow to Theresa May’s revolutionary plans to open and expand grammar schools giving every child regardless of background the best chance of success.
Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said that overall disadvantaged children in local authorities with selective schools were more likely to end up NEET - meaning Not in Employment, Education or Training compared to other students.
Ms Rayner said the evidence for grammar schools helping all students “just doesn’t stack up”.
She said: “Their own statistics reveal here that disadvantaged children are worse off living in an area with grammar schools and if they had been born in an area without them.
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“Introducing more grammar schools will make things actively worse for the most disadvantaged.
“A good education should not be a privilege. It is every child’s right.”
It comes as Government plans to expand grammar schools – already facing fierce opposition – faces a fresh revolt after a group of headteachers joined together to raise their concerns.
Secondary school leaders across Surrey have written to the PM and Education Secretary Justine Greening to voice their “deeply held, vehement opposition” to the Government’s plans.
They are the latest group to oppose the expansion, which includes high-profile critics such as Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw.
They said: “It is impossible to have grammar schools without secondary modern schools or their equivalent for those who are not selected, whether by 11 plus or some other test.”
Around 95% per cent of pupils in Surrey attend secondary schools that are rated as good or outstanding by inspectors.
It is understood the county does not have any grammar schools.
A Department for Education spokeswoman insisted the Government wanted to “make this a country that works for everyone”.
They said figures from last week showed boys that went to a grammar school were almost a third more likely to go to a top university.