Commentary

Socioeconomic segregation within UK schools remains an important research topic given that schools with an overconcentration of pupils from disadvantaged families tend to have lower educational attainment which has a detrimental effect on pupils’ life chances (Coldron et al, 2010; Croxford and Paterson, 2006; Gorard, 2009). Debate continues about the measurement of segregation, with recent contributions from Allen and Vignoles (2007); Cheng and Gorard (2010), Gorard (2007; 2009; 2011), and Johnston and Jones (2010; 2011) about the choice of an aspatial index and Harris and Johnston (2008), Harris (2011; 2012), and earlier work by Gibson and Asthana (2000) who assess spatial measures