London’s diverse ethnic population explains the success of its schools

Press release issued: 12 November 2014 London's diverse ethnic population is the reason for its pupils achieving significantly better GCSE results than the rest of England, according to a new study published today [12 November]. This study from the Centre for Market and Public Organisation (CMPO) at the University of Bristol looked at GCSE data for the whole of England to understand what lies behind the 'London Effect' - a term used to describe the high levels of attainment and progress of pupils in the capital. The London Effect is large: the report shows that pupils in London schools score about eight GCSE grade points higher than those in the rest of England, relative to their attainment at age 11. For example, this means achieving eight Cs rather than eight Ds, or eight As rather than eight Bs. Evidence in the study shows that this is explained by the ethnic composition of pupils in London. Once ethnicity was taken into account in the analysis, the London Effect in pupil progress disappears. Previous research from CMPO showed that white British pupils achieve the lowest GCSE scores relative to their attainment at age 11, which this study confirms for 2013.