Since 2011, when the Pupil Premium was introduced, the gap between pupils on free school meals and other pupils reaching the expected standard had been closing at key stage 1.
For example, a gap of 12 per cent in maths in 2010 had reduced to eight per cent in 2015. Although still leaving some way to go, it now seems, that even this modest gain has suffered a set back. Following this year’s key stage 1 assessments the gap appears to have widened again to 18 per cent in maths.
The fall in the number of children reaching the expected standard this year was not surprising. The increase in difficulty of the tests was openly discussed. However, that this increase in difficulty should have hit disadvantaged children harder is both worrying and interesting.
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