Commenting on UCAS statistics showing that the number of students
from the most disadvantaged backgrounds applying to the most
selective universities and courses has increased by 8% this year,
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said:
“It is great to see an increase in applications from the most
disadvantaged students for the most selective universities and
courses. This is testament to the hard work of schools and
colleges in teaching and supporting these young people so well
and giving them the confidence to aim high. That is an
achievement at any time but particularly so during a pandemic
which has often hit disadvantaged young people the hardest.
“However, there is still a long way to go. There are still nearly
six times as many applications from the most advantaged students
for these universities and courses compared to the most
disadvantaged. This is part of an educational attainment gap
which leaves disadvantaged pupils on average 18.1 months of
learning behind their peers by the time they take their GCSEs.
“More government investment is needed in early years education,
in schools and colleges, and in tackling child poverty to address
this persistent inequality, together with strategies to improve
teacher recruitment and retention, support struggling schools,
and ensure that qualifications work well for all students.
“At the current rate of progress there is no prospect of this
disadvantage gap being eliminated. A government which talks
constantly about ‘levelling up’ has to do better.”
