GRAMMAR schools have been slated for being "ghettos" for the wealthy, doing little to help poorer children escape poverty.

A report by a professor from York University David Jesson said: "Far from providing ladders of opportunity for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, grammar schools are more like ghettos of the advantaged'.

In Bournemouth just 2.2 per cent of grammar school pupils are eligible for free school meals compared to an average of 10.4 per cent in all schools in Bournemouth.

In Poole Grammar School 1.67 per cent of the pupils are eligible for free school meals and in Parkstone Grammar School just 1.62 per cent of pupils are eligible, compared with an average of 5.25 per cent across all schools in the borough.

This is broadly in line with the national statistics, which show two per cent of pupils in grammar schools are entitled to free school meals.

John Granger, head teacher of Bournemouth School, said that he thought the test was broadly fair but that the school received fewer applications from children from poorer backgrounds.

He said: "There are some primary schools in the area from which we get no or very few applications and these tend to be the schools in the more deprived areas."

He said he works with head teachers of primary schools in less well off areas to get them to encourage their children to raise their children's aspirations.

Bournemouth School for Girls has similar policies.

Head teacher Alistair Brian said: "Over the last four years or so we have been working closely with a number of state primary schools in Bournemouth in the teaching of the humanities, French and sport and with our sixth form community service programme.

"A prime aim of this work has been to raise awareness of our school and to encourage applications from all primary school pupils who would benefit from a grammar school education, whatever their background."

Prof David Jesson's research showed that several pupils join grammar schools from fee paying preparatory schools.

St Thomas Garnet's School in Boscombe, which charges between £1,550 and £2,050 per term, boasts on its website: "We have an excellent record of achieving a high percentage of 11 plus passes for entry into the Bournemouth Grammar Schools."

At both Bournemouth grammar schools the majority of pupils come from the state sector.

Mr Granger said that there is no real advantage in private coaching.

He said: "We do not want pupils who have been coached to pass but then underperform when they get here.

"We want to encourage applications from as many people who would benefit from a grammar school education as possible but we do only have 150 places."