ASCL comment on EPI research into outcomes of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Commenting on the report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) on the educational outcomes of asylum-seeking children who enter the UK separated from their parents, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“This report shines a much-needed light on the educational outcomes of a group of extremely vulnerable children.

“The huge gap it shows in their GCSE attainment compared to non-migrant children is not an easy problem to solve because they lack family support and stability, may not have a strong command of English, and may be suffering from psychological trauma.

“However, this report helps to provide greater understanding of the scale of the problem, and that is an important step forward in itself.

“It reinforces the need for sufficient government funding to enable schools, colleges, and local authority services to provide the most effective possible support for these young people, and for all vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”