Academy schools 'turning away poorer pupils'

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Higher achievement at the controversial semi-private schools was partly down to changes in the social mix of pupils, said the Governmentfunded research.

Ministers should investigate whether the freedom some academies have over admissions is leading to poor children being kept out, said consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers, which carried out the study.

Its report said that a system of ability testing known as 'fair banding' may be acting against the interests of children from poorer areas.

Fair banding puts children into ability bands based on the results of a test given to primary school pupils applying for places.

The school then offers places to equal shares of children from each band - a move intended to create a mix of abilities.

A review of this system was necessary 'to ensure that there are no overt or covert barriers preventing the most disadvantaged pupils from accessing academies. The report - a four-year study into the flagship schools - will fuel concerns that some of the poorest children may be missing out as academies push for better exam grades.

The report said: 'Some of the improvement in pupil performance can be explained in terms of the fact that the social and educational profile of pupils entering academies is improving.'

Many academies were taking fewer pupils entitled to free school meals because they come from low-income households, said the report.

The percentage of pupils who came from these deprived backgrounds had fallen from 42 per cent in 2002 to 36 per cent last year.

Academies have proved one of Labour's most bitterly- contested school reforms.

Business backers and church groups can have a say in running academies in return for £2million sponsorship.

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the report was worrying.

A spokesman for the Department of Children, Schools and Families said: 'There is no evidence that fair banding is operating unfairly in academies.'