WHATSAPPHundreds of British Pakistani and other ethnic minority children are being unfairly excluded from top grammar schools due to racial bias in the 11 plus exam, campaigners argue. New data reveals disturbing disparities in pass rates across ethnicities, with British Pakistani pupils only half as likely as their white counterparts to secure a coveted grammar school place .
I'll examine the evidence of anti-Asian bias and income bias in the controversial 11 plus selection process, analyzing the implications for educational equality, and exploring whether the rationale for the exam is fatally flawed if it discriminates against high-ability minority students.
Examining the Data
Regional insights show varying pass rates across different geographical areas, with 80% mark typically needed to pass in high-density grammar school regions 10. Grammar schools are known to have higher-density populations which correlate with better performance on standardized exams such as the 11 Plus due to differences in curriculums, preparedness techniques and resources provided. Around 80%, compared to the national average pass marks achieved by secondary pupils attending other types of schools, which is 27.6%. This reflects how competition can play a large role in determining student performance overall.
Statistical evidence highlighting disparities in pass rates across ethnicities
Data for the 2021 to 2022 school year shows that: 49.8% pupils in England got a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and maths. 80% of pupils from the Chinese ethnic group got a grade 5 or above – the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups. The next highest percentages were in the Indian (73.0%) and Asian 'other' (66.7%) ethnic groups. 8.5% of white Gypsy and Roma pupils and 14.4% of Irish traveller pupils got a grade 5 or above – the lowest percentages.
Comparison of pass rates between white British students and ethnic minority groups
Out of the 5 white ethnic groups, white Irish pupils were most likely to get a grade 5 or above (60.6%). Out of the 3 black ethnic groups, black African pupils were most likely to get a grade 5 or above (54.5%) and black Caribbean pupils were least likely to (34.6%). If we look at high achieving eleven-year-olds in selective local authorities like Kent, Medway, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire, just 29% of the white British pupils who achieved a fine grade score of 5.0 on Key Stage 2 (KS2) tests goes onto a grammar school. For Asian, black and other ethnic minority groups, these figures are 56%, 61% and 44%, respectively.
Impact of socioeconomic factors and English as an Additional Language (EAL) status
Eligibility for free school meals in England is used as an indicator of deprivation 5. For pupils eligible for free school meals: 28.4% got a grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared with 55.4% of non-eligible pupils. In every ethnic group, they were less likely to get a grade 5 or above than non-eligible pupils. The biggest gap was in the white Irish ethnic group – 32.1% got a grade 5 or above, compared with 66.6% of non-eligible pupils
Analysis and Implications
The systemic anti-Asian bias in the 11 plus exam is a grave injustice that must be addressed. As an expert lawyer, I argue that the evidence is overwhelming and indisputable.