The poorest pupils in Wales are "significantly" behind their peers, according to a new study. There has been almost no improvement in this disadvantage over the last decade.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) conducted in study in 2019 prior to the coronavirus pandemic and found the gap between the poorest pupils and cohorts was between 22 and 23 months. The largest gap by area were as large as 25 to 28 months.
Pupils living with long-term and persistent poverty are even further behind and the persistent disadvantage gap was equal to 29 months. The EPI said policymakers need to do more to tackle the gaps, especially in Wales, where the gap was “notably worse” than England.
READ MORE: The universities in Wales which students rate most highly
The organisation said Wales had a larger attainment gap at GCSE level than England, progress in narrowing the gap in either nation has been “modest” over the past 10 years. It has called for a renewed focus on narrowing disadvantage gaps in schools.
Pupils from poorer backgrounds are much less likely to reach the top quintile of GCSE scores and more likely to be in the bottom quintile across both nations, with “less mobility in Wales than in England”, the study found. The EPI said local authorities in Wales need to adopt measures from poorer areas in England that have managed to keep their disadvantage gaps smaller over time.
It said targeting extra funding at poorer schools had proven effective in narrowing the disadvantage gap, and that more funding should be specifically targeted at pupils experiencing persistent poverty in both nations. The EPI said measures such as attracting high-quality teachers to poorer areas through salary supplements, and one-to-one and small group tutoring had also been shown to reduce attainment gaps.
EPI research fellow Luke Sibieta said: “The gap in education outcomes between poor children and the rest is far too wide in both England and Wales. But the results for Wales are particularly concerning – with poor children almost two years behind on average by the time they take their GCSEs, compared with 18 months in England.
“And children who are long-term poor in Wales are almost two-and-a-half years behind, compared with just under two years in England. Policymakers in both countries need to re-double their attempts to give poorer children a better chance in life, and Welsh policymakers need to consider if there are lessons which they can learn from the best performing areas of England, where gaps are far lower. In both countries, a range of measures is necessary, including targeting more funding at schools with high levels of disadvantage, improving teacher quality in deprived areas and more one-to-one and small group tuition.”
David Laws, EPI executive chairman, added: “This report highlights the huge attainment gaps in both Wales and England, gaps that have almost certainly widened since the Covid crisis hit. This new research also highlights how much bigger the gaps are in Wales, which should trigger a debate in Wales as to why these outcomes are so disappointing and what more can be done to turn things around.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are doing everything we can to ensure our education system supports all learners to achieve their full potential and fulfil their aspirations. We are also working hard to reduce poverty levels in Wales, although the UK government is responsible for many of the main levers to do this, such as the welfare and benefit system. We will continue to do everything in our power to tackle inequalities and improve outcomes for all children in Wales.”
READ NEXT:
