ASCL comment on widening of Key Stage 2 disadvantage gap

Commenting on Key Stage 2 statistics published by the Department for Education which show an increase in the disadvantage gap, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The widening of the attainment gap between disadvantaged 11-year-olds and other children shows the desperate need for more government funding for education. The government post-pandemic recovery programme has been chaotic and inadequate.

“But, in truth, lack of sufficient funding has been a feature of government policy for the last decade. Schools need to be able to afford the cost of providing children who need extra help with individualised and specialist support. However, the funding settlement is inadequate in general, and it is miserly for primary education.

“Without extra investment, there is not the remotest possibility of the government achieving its maths and English attainment targets.”