Today, Wednesday 21 August, Teach First has published figures based on an investigation into the attainment gap between disadvantaged young people and their peers at GCSE level. The analysis claims that pupils attending schools in the poorest communities are less likely to pass in a variety of subjects including those making up the EBacc. This was covered by the Guardian, the Independent, I News, the Times and the Sun.
Using the disadvantage gap index, the disadvantage attainment gap at key stage 2 has decreased in each of the last seven years, narrowing by 3% in the latest year and 13.2% since 2011. New guidance available through the Education Endowment Foundation will help schools make good choices to improve their disadvantaged pupils’ outcomes.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
The gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has narrowed considerably since 2011, and 85% of children are now in good or outstanding schools compared to just 66% in 2010.
And our £2.4 billion Pupil Premium is helping the most disadvantaged children. But we must do more.
The Prime Minister has committed to increasing school funding so we will continue to drive up school standards right across the country, and do more to continue to attract and retain talented individuals in our classrooms as well as giving teachers the powers they need to deal with bad behaviour and bullying.
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