Responding to a new report from the Education Policy Institute
(EPI) which found that disadvantaged pupils have fallen further
behind their peers since the pandemic, Paul Whiteman,
general secretary of the school leaders' union the NAHT said:
“It is a national tragedy that under the last government, in
many cases, the attainment gap between the most and least
disadvantaged children widened, further entrenching inequality.
“Teachers and school leaders work hard to support pupils, but
they alone cannot address the deep-rooted causes of poverty, and
its consequences, including the damage it does to children's
learning and their attendance at school. This was an issue even
before the pandemic, exacerbated by the last government's failure
to invest enough in catch-up or vital support services, from
social care and special educational needs, to mental health
services.
“We welcome the new government's commitment to helping everyone
to succeed in life, regardless of their background, its
recognition that the early years are a crucial time in children's
development, and its pledges to tackle child poverty. Schools
stand ready to do whatever they can to support any efforts to
break down the barriers which prevent pupils from flourishing and
reaching their potential.”
