Selective Schools expansion fund: 2019 applications open

The Department for Education has announced the second round of the Selective Schools Expansion Fund, which provides funds for grammar schools to create additional places if they can demonstrate how they will attract more disadvantaged pupils and work with other schools in their area.

16 schools that committed to a range of measures to improve access for disadvantaged pupils were successful in bidding for the first round, all of which are rated as Outstanding.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb, said: "Selective schools are some of the highest performing schools in the country and so it’s right that more pupils should have the opportunity to benefit from the world class education they provide. It’s also right that access to those places should be fair to pupils from all backgrounds, which is why selective schools must demonstrate how they are going to admit more pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, if they are going to expand.

"It is also a requirement that selective schools work with other schools in their area. Whether through a multi academy trust or an informal partnership, we want to see more selective schools using their expertise to improve opportunities for a wider group of young people.".

Chief Executive of the Grammar School Heads Association Jim Skinner said: "The work we are doing with the Department for Education through our Memorandum of Understanding, is proving most valuable in extending the initiatives that member schools have undertaken in recent years, to increase access for disadvantaged pupils and support other schools in raising standards for all children.

"Along with the Selective School Expansion Fund, this work is making an important contribution to ensuring more children receive the high quality education that is right for them."

Bidding schools must submit a Fair Access and Partnership Plan. The window for applications will be open for ten weeks until 23 April.