The disadvantage gap is arguably education’s most obdurate problem. Gains are hard won and easily lost. Since 2011, the gaps at ages 11 and 16 narrowed slightly and then widened again following the pandemic. They are now pretty much back to where they started.
Earlier this month, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, published its analysis of what awaits the next government (Farquharson et al, 2024). It highlights many strengths, including the fact that England is one of the best-performing countries in terms of school-age attainment.
But it notes: “At every stage of education, children from less advantaged backgrounds perform significantly worse.”
The disadvantage gap starts to emerge at a young age and gets wider as children get older.
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