Parents have more effect on pass rates than schools, study finds

Middle-class parents who send their children to independent schools in the hope they will pass more exams may be wasting their money, according to research published yesterday.

An Edinburgh University study has found there is little difference in exam pass rates between middle-class pupils at state schools and those in the independent sector. Although school league tables consistently show independent schools outperforming state comprehensives, the research indicates that when family background is taken into account there is very little difference in exam pass rates.

Lindsay Paterson, professor of education at Edinburgh University, analysed government figures for exam passes just in Scotland, in both the independent and state sectors. He found that parents, rather than schools, had the greatest influence on children's educational attainment.

In the independent sector, 95% of pupils from middle-class families passed five or more standard grades - the Scottish equivalent of GCSEs - at levels one to three. In the state sector, the pass rate was 93%.

With higher grades, 74% of middle-class children passed three or more exams in the independent sector. In state schools, 71% of pupils received similar results.

"This research is more a pat on the back for comprehensives than a criticism of independent schools," Prof Paterson said. "But it does show that if a parent is considering sending their child to an independent school, they might be better advised to send them to the local comprehensive and spend the money on other things, like music tuition."

The independent sector questioned the significance of his results and said there was more to education in an independent school than passing exams.

Fiona Valpy, information officer with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, said: "We have done research year-on-year asking what factors parents take into account when choosing an independent school. Exam results tend to come in fifth place behind things like small class sizes and the ability to realise a child's potential."

While the government wants an end to comprehensives, ministers in Scotland have said they believe the system is the best way forward.