This policy paper examines the impact of academic selection in grammar schools on attainment and social mobility in England. It may be of particular interest to policy makers and school leaders in areas with grammar schools.
Grammar schools and social mobility
Education policy
Schools, teaching and management
Social mobility / closing the gap
Social/welfare support
Supporting social mobility
UK policy
View all
Synopsis
Exploring the effects of grammar schools on attainment and social mobility in England, this policy paper tests the conflicting claims made around grammars.
Setting out to facilitate a more informed debate around the complex and controversial issues that surround selective education, the researchers ultimately find no evidence to suggest that educational standards in England would be improved by creating additional grammar schools. They suggest that at a national level more grammar schools would likely only lead to small gains in attainment for a minority of pupils, while additional grammar schools would likely to lead to increases in the aggregate attainment gaps between rich and poor children.
They conclude that in areas where there is already a high proportion of selection extra grammar school places would lead to small – but increasing – attainment losses for all pupils who do not attend grammar schools, with negative attainment effects hitting the poorest children hardest.