ASCL comment on EPI primary report

Commenting on the Education Policy Institute’s report, English Education: World Class in Primary?, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We agree with the conclusion of the EPI report that more targeted support is needed for vulnerable pupils in primary and early years education, not just for mathematics, but in general. It is a key priority in raising standards. 

“High-performing pupils do very well in our schools, but lower performers often start from a lower base and fall further behind at an early stage. The gap is then extremely difficult to close.

“Schools already work very hard within tight budgets to support their vulnerable pupils, but their resources are limited. What we need is a national evidence-based programme and funding to provide additional classroom support where it is needed most. 

“We must also ensure that we are able to recruit and retain more great teachers by improving career development and tackling issues such as the real-terms decline in teacher pay."