11-plus exam is a “loaded dice” in favour of wealthier pupils
Poor pupils with the same SATs score as richer peers do worse in grammar school entrance exams, research shows.
According to a study by Education Datalab, the Kent Test, the entrance exam in Kent, was a “loaded dice” against pupils on free school meals because they were not coached for the test, unlike their wealthier peers.
The study, which looked at 21,800 pupils who started secondary school in Kent in 2016, found that the pupils on free school meals (FSM) who got the same SATs score as those who do not receive FSM, received an average 8.7 points lower on the 11-plus test.
It is believed that this is because FSM pupils struggled more with the style of the test.
The research concluded that poorer pupils should be given extra marks and headteacher panels which reconsider the fate of the pupils who do not pass the test should be scrapped.
Read moreLatest News
07/10/2025 - 09:35
Sixty-five per cent of parents and grandparents have said they felt driving should be on the school curriculum, according to a survey by pre-17 driver training scheme provider Young Driver.
07/10/2025 - 09:20
The government has announced a new package of bursaries and scholarships worth up to £31,000 to train to teach in subjects including chemistry, maths, physics, and computing.
06/10/2025 - 10:20
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
03/10/2025 - 10:01
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
02/10/2025 - 09:31
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
