Pupils get the equivalent of ‘two years extra education’ at private schools
Pupils who attend private schools receive the equivalent of two extra years of education by the time they are 16 compared to their state school peers, new research suggests.
Research from Durham University found that private school pupils are consistently ahead of pupils in state schools at ages four, eight, 10 and 16.
The study was commissioned by the Independent Schools Council and aimed to analyse the difference in attainment between private and state school pupils.
It found that by the age of 16, the equivalent of two years more education had helped boost their grades by almost two thirds of a grade at GCSE.
The largest discrepancies were found in French, history and geography, with the gap in attainment the smallest for chemistry, physics and biology.
Read moreLatest News
26/09/2025 - 11:08
Three schools have been fitted with solar panels over the summer as part of a government-funded scheme, with eight more schools set to get their solar panels this autumn.
25/09/2025 - 09:51
Charity Speech and Language UK has published its whitepaper in lieu of the delays to the government’s own Schools White Paper – delays which are damaging children’s education, mental health and future.
25/09/2025 - 09:34
The scheme will see high-achieving young people from disadvantaged areas receive letters from students at Kings College London, encouraging them to consider a university education.
24/09/2025 - 10:22
A coalition of over 60 leading organisations from the UK’s creative and digital industries, alongside education experts, are calling on the government to introduce a new Digital Creativity GCSE.
24/09/2025 - 09:59
The Government’s Youth Hub programme – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues, will almost double in number thanks to £25 million new investment.
