GRAMMAR school students are unlikely to achieve better academically by the age of 14 than those who do not attend selective state schools, a study suggests.

Research by UCL Institute of Education, published today, follows the government's plans to pump £50 million into creating more places at grammar schools.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said the research was the “latest evidence” that Prime Minister Theresa May's “pet project” will fail.

"Each new grammar school effectively creates new secondary moderns, a two-tier school system that robs the majority of children of the opportunities that they deserve," she said.
 
“Instead, the Conservatives should give every child the support they need by reversing cuts to school budgets and giving our teachers the pay rise they deserve.”

Researchers analysed data from 883 children in England and 733 children in Northern Ireland.

National Education Union's (NEU) Mary Bousted said the government has "once again" got its education priorities wrong.
 
"We are absolutely clear that funding the expansion of grammar schools is not an appropriate use of public funds at a time when schools across the country are having to reach down the back of the sofa for spare change," she added.