CYP Now - Analysis: Schools admissions - Middle-class dominate best places

A study has found that the UK's top state schools have hardly any pupils who are entitled to free school meals, suggesting many low-income families are losing out on the chance of a top-quality education for their children. David Singleton reports.

Last month, Tony Blair told the Labour Party conference that hispriority was to offer an excellent education to all pupils, regardlessof their social background. "If there's one thing above all thatmotivates me it is to redeem the pledge I made to give the chance of afirst-class education not only for Britain's elite but for all Britain'schildren," he declared.

But the latest evidence suggests that the Prime Minister is some wayfrom realising his ambition. A report published last week by the SuttonTrust says schools are using increasingly complicated admissionsprocedures, including aptitude tests and interviewing parents, tocovertly select middle-class children in the expectation that they willboost their league table rankings.

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