Disadvantaged pupils 'falling behind their peers'
The most disadvantaged school pupils in England are continuing to fall behind their peers, a new report has warned.
According to research by the Education Policy Institute, disadvantaged pupils are now on average more than two years of learning behind other children by the end of secondary school.
By 2016, disadvantaged pupils - who are classed as those entitled to free school meals for 80 per cent of their secondary school tenure - were an average of 19.3 months behind their peers when they took their GCSEs.
The report said this means they are falling behind by about two months a year throughout their secondary education.
Although the report pointed out that the attainment gap has narrowed slightly over the last decade, it said that, at the current rate of progress, it would be 50 years before the UK has an "equitable education system where disadvantaged pupils did not fall behind their peers during formal education to age 16".
The Education Policy Institute went on to state that there are some notable regional variations, with some parts of the country lagging significantly behind others when it comes to narrowing the gap.
For instance, the attainment gap was 29 months in the Isle of Wight, making it the place with the biggest disparity between pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.
Derby, Cumbria and Knowsley also fared badly, with above-average gaps of 27 months, while the figure was 26 months in South Gloucestershire and Northumberland.
By contrast, the disparity is well below average in Hackney, Islington, Newham, Rutland and Barnet, where the gaps are eight months.
Meanwhile, Southwark, Wandsworth and Tower Hamlets were all found to have gaps of just seven monthsSign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£165 - 250 per day
Location free text
Burnley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Burnley
Description
General Science Teachers Wanted - Join Teaching Personnel Across Lancashire!Are you a passionate and dedicated Science Teacher looking for flexibility, variety, or your next long-term opportunity? Whe
Reference
FSBVJ
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£174.71 - 240.70 per day
Location free text
Kirkham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Lancashire
Description
Science TeacherLocation: Kirkham, PR4 Start Date: November 2026 Contract: Full-Time Salary: MPS/UPS (dependent on experience)Are you a passionate and dedicated Science Teacher looking for your next op
Reference
PR - Science Teacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£150 - 250 per day
Location free text
Lancashire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Lancashire
Description
General Science Teachers Wanted - Join Teaching Personnel Across Lancashire!Are you a passionate and dedicated Science Teacher looking for flexibility, variety, or your next long-term opportunity? Whe
Reference
1210SCILANCS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£95 - 110 per day
Location free text
Kenton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Tyne and Wear
Description
Cover Supervisor Location: Kenton - Newcastle Upon Tyne Contract: Full-time / Part-time / Flexible Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience Start Date: ASAPAre you looking to take your first step
Reference
JR29375923577
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£85.51 - 93.50 per day
Location free text
Cwmbran
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Secondary
Location
Torfaen
Description
ALN Teaching Assistant (ASD Support) Location: Cwmbran, Torfaen Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 3:00pm Pay: From £14.25 per hour Start Date: 2nd NovemberTeaching Personnel is currently recruiting f
Reference
LR-CwmTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£162 - 260 per day
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Northumberland
Description
Teacher of English (Language & Literature) Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Start Date: November 2026 (flexible start available for suitable candidates) Salary: MPS/UPS (depending on experience) Contract
Reference
JR9857093555
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£95 - 105 per day
Location free text
Sunderland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Sunderland
Description
Higher Level Teaching Assistant – Sunderland Secondary Schools Competitive Daily Rates, Long-Term, ASAP StartTeaching Personnel is recruiting a Higher Level Teaching Assistant for long-term positions
Reference
IJHLTA2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£168.80 - 261.78 per day
Location free text
Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Design and Technology
Location
Durham
Description
Engineering Teacher – Durham Secondary School Long-Term Supply, MPS/UPS £32,916 – £51,048, ASAP StartTeaching Personnel is recruiting an Engineering Teacher for a long-term supply position at a second
Reference
IJET2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£175 - 260 per day
Location free text
Liverpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Liverpool
Description
Female PE Teacher – Liverpool Secondary School Female PE Teacher Liverpool Full-Time | Temporary to Permanent Opportunities Available Competitive Pay (dependent on experience and qualifications)Are
Reference
FPE TEACH LIV RH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchSalary
£92.63 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Warrington
Description
Cover Supervisors Required – Warrington Secondary Schools Location: Warrington Start Date: October Contract Type: Full-time, Part-time, or Flexible Salary: £92.63 - £100 per day (dependent on experi
Reference
cs, w 12/10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job