Working Paper 14/333 - Abstract

Abstract

Understanding the success of London's schools (PDF, 1,193kB)

Simon Burgess

This paper contributes to understanding the ‘London Effect’, focussing on the role of the ethnic composition. The aim is to understand the statistical contribution to the London premium of ethnic composition. I also analyse data on the performance of recent immigrants. The results confirm that pupil progress on standard measures is significantly higher than the rest of England, 9.8% of a standard deviation. This is entirely accounted for by ethnic composition. The last decade of results shows the same result. I show that for other measures of attainment, the London premium is halved but remains significant.

 

Key words:  pupil attainment; ethnicity; immigrants; London schools