New figures indicate that white British pupils now constitute less than half of the student population in the UK's grammar schools, a notable decrease from 66 percent a decade ago to 44 percent currently, according to data from the annual school spring census.
Chris Evans, head teacher of Reading School in Berkshire, suggested that some white British parents may be deterred from applying due to concerns that their children will be subjected to intense academic pressure, a phenomenon known as 'hot-housing,' before they are developmentally ready. Evans reported that applications from white British students to his school have fallen dramatically, from 49 percent to 13 percent in the current year. To address this, Reading School has initiated outreach programs aimed at dispelling misconceptions that grammar schools do not prioritize extracurricular activities like sports or the arts. Additionally, the school has modified its 11-plus entrance exam to a less predictable, 'tutor-proof' model designed to assess innate aptitude rather than coached performance. These efforts have shown some success, with white British applicants rising to 15 percent this year, compared to 7 percent in 2024.
Other grammar schools attribute the demographic shift to rising aspirations among second-generation immigrant families and the varying willingness of certain ethnic groups to relocate or endure long commutes for schooling. Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham, for example, saw its white British student population decrease from 75 percent to 34 percent over the past decade. During the same period, the proportion of Indian pupils increased from 8 percent to 30 percent, and Chinese pupils rose from 0.3 percent to 5 percent. James Richardson, head teacher at Pate's, noted the school's extensive language programs, including Mandarin, and strong co-curricular music offerings as attractive features for certain ethnicities. He also highlighted the influence of community ties, such as the school's large Diwali celebration, in fostering positive perceptions and growing enrollment from the Indian community.
Department for Education figures show a broader trend of increased enrollment from major ethnic minority groups, including Indian, Pakistani, African, and Chinese students, into grammar schools. Indian pupils represent the largest increase, rising from 8 percent to 15 percent of the total student body. At Dartford Grammar School for Girls in Kent, the white student population has dropped from 52 percent to just 7 percent, while the African pupil population has increased from 14 percent to 37 percent, alongside rises in Indian (7 percent to 16 percent) and Chinese (1 percent to 4 percent) student numbers. Head teacher Sharon Pritchard acknowledged that the local population's demographic makeup has changed to some extent, but also pointed to the school's academic success, with nearly 80 percent of GCSE grades being between 7 and 9 this year, potentially attracting applications from a wider area.
Professor Lucinda Platt of the London School of Economics suggested that increased educational attainment among foreign-born individuals may lead new arrivals to prioritize higher education for their children. The significant cost of private tutoring for the 11-plus exam, with average hourly rates around £37.50 and some tutors charging up to £100, has long been identified as a barrier, particularly for white working-class children seeking access to grammar schools.