Poor white boys three times more likely to go to top universities if they attend a grammar school, says government
Figures show they are also more likely to leave school with five good GCSEs, and to go on to study for a degree in general
POOR white boys are around three times more likely to go to a top university if they attend a grammar school, according to a government analysis.
Figures show they are also more likely to leave school with five good GCSEs, and to go on to study for a degree in general.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb published the information today in answer to an MP’s question, as debate continues over Theresa May's plans to allow the creation of new grammar schools.
Ministers have said the move will help to create more good school places, but critics say it will lead to a segregated system with a negative impact on children.
However in 2014/15, three in 10 white male students studying at grammar schools who were eligible for free dinners - a key measure of poverty - at the end of Year 11, won a place at a Russell Group university - the institutions considered among the best in the UK.
In comparison, just 8% of white male students who attended a comprehensive school went on to one of these universities.
The figures also show that poor white boys were around 30% more likely to study for a degree at any university if they had been taught at a grammar, compared to those who went to a non-selective school (70% compared to 54% in 2014/15).
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And 96.7% of selective school educated white male students on free school meals gained at least five C grades in their GCSEs in 2014/15, compared to 44.1% of those who went to comprehensives.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said: "The Government wants to make this a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
“Grammar schools have a track record of closing the attainment gap between children on free school meals and their better off classmates, and 99% of grammars schools are rated good or outstanding.
"We want all children, whatever their background, to have access to an education that will unlock their talents. That's precisely why we have set out plans to make more good school places available, to more parents, in more parts of the country."
Plans to allow new grammar schools to be set up and existing ones to expand, were first announced in September by the Prime Minister.
The proposals are part of an ongoing government consultation on creating more good school places. Under the move, ministers have said there would be strict conditions on selective school expansion, such as taking a share of pupils from poorer homes.
But among the high-profile opponents to grammar school expansion is Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw, who has warned the plan is "socially divisive'' and will lower standards for the majority of pupils.