Commenting on the report from the Education Policy Institute
focusing on the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and
their peers, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association
of School and College Leaders, said:
“This report is both important and timely, highlighting how the
combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, child poverty, and the
cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated the disadvantage gap.
“These statistics represent diminished life chances for many
children and young people, deepening societal inequalities and
hindering economic progress.
“Schools and colleges are striving to support all their students,
but they are operating with insufficient funding and staffing.
Their efforts are further hampered by a crisis in the SEND system
and lack of capacity in overwhelmed and under-resourced local
support services for children and families.
“The Education Policy Institute has outlined a strong set of
priorities for the new government. We especially emphasise the
urgent need for a cross-government child poverty strategy.
“It is unacceptable that over four million children in the UK
live in poverty, with approximately one million experiencing
poverty so severe that it is classified as destitution.
“Poverty is detrimental not only to their welfare but also
adversely affects their education, as children in these
conditions are unlikely to be in a fit state to learn. We cannot
claim to be a civilised and caring society while this situation
persists. Addressing this dire issue must be a top priority for
the new government.”
