This article reports on the findings from a longitudinal analysis of 2976 boys from the Next Steps (formerly LSYPE) data set. It unites the existing literature on ethnic gaps in attainment and higher education participation (HEP) to offer deeper, more holistic insight into the relationship between ethnicity and educational outcomes. The article offers a robust understanding of the extent to which ethnic variations in HEP are mediated by attitudes and attainment. Structural equation mediation models were used to investigate the link between ethnicity and outcome across a seven-year period. The analyses show specific mediated effects of attitude to school and attainment on ethnic variations in HEP for boys from certain BME groups relative to their White-British counterparts. The findings have implications for policy and practice, both in compulsory schooling and in higher education.