Poorer pupils in England and Wales are “significantly” behind their peers, according to a report.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) study found that in 2019, prior to the pandemic, the gap between poorer pupils and their peers was 22-23 months in Wales and about 18 months in England.
The gap has narrowed slightly in both countries since 2011, but the EPI said progress seems to have “stalled of late”.
In Wales, the largest disadvantage gaps by area were as big as 25-28 months, the EPI found. In England, the largest attainment gap, of about 25 months, was found in Blackpool.
Pupils living with long-term and persistent poverty are even further behind their peers in both countries. In England, the persistent disadvantage gap was equal to about 23 months of learning, while in Wales it was 29 months.
