The rich diversity of London's population is contributing to London's high academic output – attainment and progress of pupil's in the capital is the highest in the country – new research has found.

According to the Centre for Market and Public Organisation at the University of Bristol University, a higher proportion of ethnic minorities in the city helps to explain why London's schools tend to perform.

Previously, it has been thought that certain policies and practices carried out in schools in the capital have helped transform standards, while other explanations include a greater investment in primary schools.

However, Professor Simon Burgess, lead author of the paper and director of the Centre for Market and Public Organisation, says that he has collected evidence which suggests that the answer lies in "the ethnic composition of London's pupils".

"More broadly, my interpretation of this leads to a focus on pupil aspiration, ambition and engagement," he wrote in a blog on the organisation's official website.

"There is nothing inherently different in the educational performance of pupils from different ethnic backgrounds, but the children of relatively recent immigrants typically have greater hopes and expectations of education, and are, on average, more likely to be engaged with their school work."

Professor Burgess explained that this is not down to "chance", as one of the reasons why London is such a multicultural city is down to the fact that it attracts migrants from all over the world who aspire to have "a better life".

The fascinating research offers a new line of enquiry for looking into how sociocultural factors can influence the performance levels of certain areas.

"London has a right to be pleased with itself in terms of the excellent GCSE performance of its pupils," Professor Burgess notes.

"My argument is that the 'London Effect' is a very positive thing, and much of the praise for this should be given to the pupils and parents of London for creating a successful multi-ethnic school system."