Experts say summer’s results mean new child poverty strategy urgently needed to tackle worsening gulf in attainment
The gap in GCSE grades between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is the widest in a decade after this summer’s results in England, with school leaders predicting spending cuts will make matters worse.
The figures published by the Department for Education showed disadvantaged pupils – mainly those eligible for free school meals – had GCSE results on average half a grade lower than children from better-off backgrounds, the widest gap since 2011-12. The gap for children with special education needs was an even wider, averaging three-quarters of a grade lower.
