Poorest pupils ‘lagging behind on literacy’
The gap between poor and better-off pupils in the UK is widening when it comes to the basics of reading and writing, according to a new study.
Research published by the Sutton Trust indicated that a growing number of disadvantaged children are leaving primary school having failed to master the fundamentals of literacy and arithmetic.
The study examined the achievements of pupils at English primary and secondary schools whose results fell below government targets, comparing the performance of children who qualified for free school meals with those who did not.
It revealed that only 40 per cent of poorer pupils achieved the expected standards at primary school, representing a 13 per cent drop in attainment levels since 2008.
Commenting on the findings, education secretary Michael Gove said: "It is a scandal that the results of the poorest children in the weakest primary schools have actually worsened over the last three years."
Last month, mayor of London Boris Johnson unveiled a new scheme designed to boost literacy among young children struggling with their development before they enter primary school.
