Government plans to get more disadvantaged children into grammar schools by making tests less coachable

Plans to make 11-plus tests less “coachable” to avoid wealthier parents snapping up the bulk of selective school places are under discussion between the Government and grammar school heads, Schools Minister David Laws disclosed today.

Mr Laws told the Commons select committee on education that the talks between the Government and grammar school heads were aimed at giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds “fairer access into grammar schools”.

Figures show that children from private schools are four times more likely to gain entrance than those on free school meals – who account for just 2.7 per cent of entrants compared with 16 per cent of the potential intake.

“We are trying to encourage testing that is fair for all young people and that it is not just coachable,” he said.

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Grammar school heads backed the idea – some have already made changes to their tests so that they put disadvantaged and advantaged pupils on an equal footing.

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The grammar school heads have also gone into partnership with the education charity the Sutton Trust to support more able children from middle and lower income backgrounds applying to selective schools.

Read the full article here.

The Daily Mail also mentioned the Sutton Trust in its coverage.