Ethnic school segregation in England: measurement, change and prediction

19th October 2020 : 12:45 - 13:45

As the nation has become more ethnically diverse, public concern has grown over perceived ethnic divisions within the English school system. Consequently, the government is now committed to making schools places where students “mix and form lasting relationships with others from different ethnic, religious or socio-economic groups” (HM Government, 2018, p. 26). This talk provides the most up-to date description of ethnic school segregation in England, outlining which parts of the country remain most ethnically divided and explaining how these trends have changed between 2006 – 2016. It then employs regression analysis to identify which neighbourhood characteristics are most predictive of differing levels of ethnic school segregation as well as describing the types of schools (religious, grammar, high/low performing) which contribute most to ethnic school segregation.

This presentation provides useful evidence to inform current debates over whether to expand religious or grammar schools in England as well as longer terms discussions on how to foster a harmonious school system in an increasingly multi-ethnic country.