Majority of grammars favour poor applicants

MOST grammar schools are favouring the poorest children in admissions to boost social mobility, a report reveals.

Many give top priority to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds who pass the 11-plus test.

Others ring-fence places for poor youngsters who meet the required standard while a ‘small number’ set lower pass marks.

The findings were revealed by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, which helps clarify the legal position on admissions.

From 2016 the School Admissions Code let schools give priority to children eligible for a pupil premium – extra cash for schools to encourage them to take more disadvantaged youngsters.

The OSA said 93 of the country’s 163 grammars are using a form of premium or taking into account free school meal eligibility in their over-subscription criteria from this September.

In October 2016, analysis by the BBC found only 73 of the 163 gave poor pupils priority.

Jim Skinner, of the Grammar School Heads’ Association, yesterday said he was confident the number would continue to rise, adding: ‘We want to give equality of opportunity to youngsters irrespective of their background.’

He denied middle class pupils were being squeezed out, because the total grammar places available ‘has increased quite significantly in the last five years’.