Grammar schools may not boost chances of good GCSEs
New study suggests that attending selective schools has ‘little impact’ on academic success
Placing your children in a selective school may not automatically improve their chances of obtaining high grades at GCSE level, according to new research.
The study by King’s College London suggests that the type of school children go to has “little impact” on their academic achievement. The discovery “undercuts the argument that grammar schools are necessary for the brightest pupils to reach their full academic potential,” says The Guardian.
The study, which was published in the npj Science of Learning journal, reveals that students at private and grammar schools scored around a GCSE grade higher across English, maths and science than their peers in state schools. But once cognitive ability, prior achievement and socio-economic status were taken into account, there was less than a 10th of a grade difference in their GCSE results.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“For educational achievement there appears to be little added benefit from attending selective schools,” the study says.
The research is based on analysis of over 4,000 students across England and Wales. It shows that the 7% difference in performance in GCSE results between selective schools and comprehensive schools can be almost entirely explained by differences in the pupils’ family incomes.
The study takes into account “polygenic scores”, which involve looking at genes linked to educational achievement.
According to AOL News, there are “thousands of genetic variants” linked to academic success that have “a tiny effect individually”. But when these are put together they can affect a student’s chances of doing well in exams.
In terms of polygenic scores, researchers say it’s too early to tell the impact of genetic factors on the difference between exam results in selective and non-selective schools.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'His story should be here'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Not cross buns': the row over recipe revamps
Talking Point New versions of the Easter favourite have sparked controversy but sales are soaring
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The RAAC concrete crisis: fears spread to hospitals, homes and theatres
feature Experts call for tens of thousands of buildings to undergo safety checks as crumbling schools scandal escalates
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated
-
Children trapped 900ft in the air in Pakistani cable car emergency
Speed Read A helicopter rescue effort has been launched to save the stranded group of eight
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Why China has separated a million Tibetan children from their families
feature State-run boarding schools accused of ‘intense political indoctrination’
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Andrew Tate and the radicalisation of teenage boys
Talking Point Teachers say male students are being sucked into former kickboxer’s ultra- macho world where they are exposed to his disturbing views
By The Week Staff Published
-
The power the Church of England has in the UK
feature Critics have questioned the relevancy of the Church’s influence in schools and politics
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
School renamed Harry Kane Junior for World Cup
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published
-
Despair as Cadbury’s removes mini Twirls
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published
-
Teachers ‘give higher grades to girls’
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published