Campaigners have presented evidence that a new 'tutor-proof' 11-plus test introduced in Buckinghamshire grammar schools still favours wealthier children and those from certain ethnic backgrounds, undermining government claims that such tests can be made fairer.
Analysis by the group Local Equal Excellent of three years' test data from the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University (CEM) shows that children from deprived postcodes and some minority ethnic groups continue to be less likely to pass. In 2015, only 10% of Pakistani applicants passed compared with 21% of white British children.
The test, which includes literacy, numeracy and non-verbal reasoning, was designed to be resistant to coaching and to measure natural ability. However, a private CEM report seen by the campaign group found that even among children with identical primary school SATs results, those from poorer areas scored on average 20 marks lower in the 11-plus than their better-off peers.
Rebecca Hickman, a founder of Local Equal Excellent, said: 'BME disadvantage is very pronounced among those not eligible for free school meals, so it is not the case that some BME pupils have lower scores simply because more of them are eligible for free school meals.'
The findings come as the government consults on plans to expand grammar schools, with Prime Minister Theresa May arguing that new selective schools can be inclusive and admit more disadvantaged pupils. Critics, including outgoing chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw, have warned that grammars inevitably benefit certain groups.
