1st April 2015 4:00
By Blue Tutors
New research has revealed that bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds are only half as likely to achieve three A levels as their wealthier counterparts. The study showed that students fall significantly behind after GCSEs, and were further disadvantaged by taking A levels that were less likely to help them gain entrance to top universities. The report compiled by the department of education at Oxford University found that just 35% of gifted primary school students went on to achieve three A levels.
The study found that students on free school meals who achieved level 5 or above on national exams taken in primary school had fallen significantly behind by sixth form. Just 33% of the disadvantaged group took one or more A levels in traditional subjects such as English, Science and Maths favoured by universities. This compares with 58% of their wealthier counterparts going on to take A levels in one or more “facilitating subjects” preferred by top universities. Education charities have condemned the significant disparities which exist between wealthy and poorer students.
The study also identified factors which can increase the chance that disadvantaged students will go on to take three A levels. The research highlighted the need for trips to museums and galleries, as well as the need to read for pleasure in a supportive home environment. The study also found that those who had developed the habit of doing homework on a daily basis before, during and after their GCSEs were nine times as likely to get three A levels. The Ofsted rating of the schools attended by disadvantaged students was also found to be a significant factor.