Assisted Places Help Disadvantaged

Assisted place pupils are increasingly likely to come from working class backgrounds according to a recent MORI survey. Almost half of these pupils are from the lower socio-economic groups and two in five qualify for full Government assistance.

The survey, conducted for the Independent Schools Information Service (ISIS) shows a marked increase in the proportion of children from the lowest socio-economic groups (DE) since a similar survey was carried out in 1991. Over a quarter (28%) now come from these backgrounds compared with 16% in 1991.

There has also been a small increase in the proportion of assisted place pupils from ethnic minority, especially Asian families (from 8% in 1991 to 11% in 1996).

The vast majority of parents of assisted place holders (92%) earn less than 16325,000 and around two in five (42%) earn less than 1639,874, the qualifying level for full feel support (as opposed to 32% in 1991 whose income was below the qualifying level then of 1638,716).

The survey was conducted among 34 randomly selected schools in England and Scotland in December 1996 and January 1997. Schools provided details on all their assisted place holders - a total of 3,897 pupils (around one in ten of all assisted place pupils).