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| Grammar schools are top state performers, Trinity Mirror research suggests | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Eight out of the 10 top-performing state schools in England and Wales are selective grammar schools, research by a newspaper group has found. | |
| Trinity Mirror analysed 3,185 state-funded secondary schools in 15 areas for its Real School Guide. | Trinity Mirror analysed 3,185 state-funded secondary schools in 15 areas for its Real School Guide. |
| About 5% of those analysed are grammar schools, which select pupils based on the 11-plus test. | About 5% of those analysed are grammar schools, which select pupils based on the 11-plus test. |
| The teachers union, the NUT, said selective schools were "socially divisive and antiquated". | The teachers union, the NUT, said selective schools were "socially divisive and antiquated". |
| Claire Miller, a data journalist for Trinity Mirror's regional team, said: "It's not too surprising. | Claire Miller, a data journalist for Trinity Mirror's regional team, said: "It's not too surprising. |
| "If you are selective you can select pupils who will do better, although a lot of these schools do also add value. | "If you are selective you can select pupils who will do better, although a lot of these schools do also add value. |
| "Selective schools tend to have better attendance and more of their pupils stay in education after their GCSEs. | "Selective schools tend to have better attendance and more of their pupils stay in education after their GCSEs. |
| "Of course, many will have their own sixth forms so it's easier for students to stay in an establishment with which they are familiar than start somewhere new." | "Of course, many will have their own sixth forms so it's easier for students to stay in an establishment with which they are familiar than start somewhere new." |
| Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the NUT, said: "Children develop at different rates and at different times, which makes academic selection at 10 or 11 years old wrong. | Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the NUT, said: "Children develop at different rates and at different times, which makes academic selection at 10 or 11 years old wrong. |
| "International evidence clearly demonstrates that if an education system is to be characterised by quality and equity, it is the comprehensive path that must be followed. | "International evidence clearly demonstrates that if an education system is to be characterised by quality and equity, it is the comprehensive path that must be followed. |
| "Grammar schools have far fewer pupils with special educational needs or eligible for free school meals. They also have fewer pupils from ethnic groups." | "Grammar schools have far fewer pupils with special educational needs or eligible for free school meals. They also have fewer pupils from ethnic groups." |
| What is a grammar school? | What is a grammar school? |
| There are 164 grammar schools in England, educating 4% of the secondary school population. | There are 164 grammar schools in England, educating 4% of the secondary school population. |
| Pupils are selected based on their results in the 11-plus test taken in the final year of primary school. | Pupils are selected based on their results in the 11-plus test taken in the final year of primary school. |
| In 1998, the then-Labour government banned the creation of new grammar schools, although existing ones were allowed to continue. | In 1998, the then-Labour government banned the creation of new grammar schools, although existing ones were allowed to continue. |
| David Cameron is also opposed to the creation of new grammar schools, preferring instead to allow groups to set up free schools. | David Cameron is also opposed to the creation of new grammar schools, preferring instead to allow groups to set up free schools. |
| Opponents of grammar schools say all children should be educated equally. | Opponents of grammar schools say all children should be educated equally. |
| Supporters argue they give bright children from low-income families a better education on a par with private schools. | Supporters argue they give bright children from low-income families a better education on a par with private schools. |
| The Good Schools Guide says grammar schools can be found in 38 of England's 150 local education authority areas. | The Good Schools Guide says grammar schools can be found in 38 of England's 150 local education authority areas. |
| Trinity Mirror also found 88.3% of pupils stayed in education after completing their GCSEs with just 2.4% becoming NEETS (not in education, employment, or training). | Trinity Mirror also found 88.3% of pupils stayed in education after completing their GCSEs with just 2.4% becoming NEETS (not in education, employment, or training). |
| The schools were judged on much more than just their GCSE results, said Ms Miller. | The schools were judged on much more than just their GCSE results, said Ms Miller. |
| "There has been a tendency to focus on the number of A* to C GCSEs pupils get, but for many pupils that is not what's most important," she said. | "There has been a tendency to focus on the number of A* to C GCSEs pupils get, but for many pupils that is not what's most important," she said. |
| "As a parent, you want to know a school is going to help your child reach their potential." | "As a parent, you want to know a school is going to help your child reach their potential." |
| How have the rankings been worked out? | How have the rankings been worked out? |
| Data journalists from Trinity Mirror have analysed each school in 25 categories. | Data journalists from Trinity Mirror have analysed each school in 25 categories. |
| The number of A* to C graded GCSEs pupils gain is often used as a key indicator to a school's success. | The number of A* to C graded GCSEs pupils gain is often used as a key indicator to a school's success. |
| But Ms Miller said other factors were important. | But Ms Miller said other factors were important. |
| One important area of analysis is the value-added score, which is the amount a child improves across their time at the school. | One important area of analysis is the value-added score, which is the amount a child improves across their time at the school. |
| Trinity Mirror has also looked at pupil-teacher ratios, attendance, truancy rates and what happened to students after their GCSEs: did they go on to further education, find employment or become a NEET? | Trinity Mirror has also looked at pupil-teacher ratios, attendance, truancy rates and what happened to students after their GCSEs: did they go on to further education, find employment or become a NEET? |
| This is the third year that Trinity Mirror has carried out the research, creating a page for each school on its various newspaper websites. | This is the third year that Trinity Mirror has carried out the research, creating a page for each school on its various newspaper websites. |
| "It's the remit of local papers to inform and be helpful and give people information that's useful," Ms Miller said. | "It's the remit of local papers to inform and be helpful and give people information that's useful," Ms Miller said. |
| Trinity Mirror ranked Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham as the top school in England and Wales, while three of the top 10 are in Sutton in Greater London. | Trinity Mirror ranked Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham as the top school in England and Wales, while three of the top 10 are in Sutton in Greater London. |
| Click on the newspaper links below to see how your local school is ranked: |