Catholic schools take in most children from deprived backgrounds, say researchers

Data newly released shows that Catholic schools in England and Wales take in 50 per cent more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than state schools.

The Catholic Education Service (CES) says just under a fifth of all pupils in Catholic statutory education meet the highest national deprivation criteria, compared to a 12.8 per cent England average.

Similarly, the CES, an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, says a quarter fewer pupils from the more affluent areas attend Catholic schools.