Poorer children 'seeing their progress stall in secondary school'
School pupils from poorer backgrounds are seeing their progress stall when they reach secondary education, according to a new study.
The government-backed report from the Social Mobility Commission has indicated that the gap between poor pupils' attainment at the end of primary school and the end of secondary school has widened since 2012, with children from low-income families making less progress year on year compared to their more affluent peers.
Conducted by LKMco and Education Datalab using figures from the National Pupil Database, the research indicated that 88 per cent of the progress gap can be explained by differences in achievement between children at the same school, rather than the 12 per cent variation between schools.
Even when brighter pupils from underprivileged backgrounds outperformed their more advantaged peers at primary school, they were shown to be likely to be overtaken in secondary school, with children receiving free school meals more likely to be placed in lower sets, have access to less qualified teachers and have lower expectations set for them.
Since children from low-income families are also less likely to benefit from effective homework routines, have reduced access to books, computers and cultural or sporting experiences, this can negatively impact their overall level of attainment.
Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said: "If social mobility is to improve, schools need to do more to bridge the education attainment divide between poorer children and their better-off classmates. Closing the gap needs to be top of mind for every teacher in every school.
"The government can help by setting an explicit target for narrowing the attainment gap at GCSE and by doing more to get the best teachers into the toughest secondary schools."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£110 - 120 per day
Location free text
Carmarthen
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Carmarthenshire
Description
Cover Supervisor – Swansea & Carmarthenshire Locations: Swansea & Carmarthenshire Pay: £110–£120 per day ⏰ Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Contract: Flexible / Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities About
Reference
MP CS4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Swansea Secondary & SENAuthor
Swansea Secondary & SENSalary
£100 - 135 per day + CPD Academy
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
Art & Technology TechnicianAre you a versatile and practical individual with experience supporting creative and technical learning environments? We are seeking a dedicated Art & Technology Technician
Reference
MM3849A
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£162 - 260 per day
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
ICT & Computing
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
Computer Science Teacher – Middlesbrough Secondary School Long-term supply/Potential Permanent contract | MPS/UPS (£32,916 – £51,048 per annum) | September 2026 startTeaching Personnel is recruiting
Reference
MM34233
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£32,916 - 51,047 per year
Location free text
Bolton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
English
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Teaching Personnel are looking to appoint an English teacher on behalf of our large client school located in Bolton. This position is set to start from September 2026 on a full-time basis.This seconda
Reference
TOENGBOL1006
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondarySalary
£172.98 - 172.98 per day
Location free text
Newport
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Newport
Description
English Teacher – Secondary School Location: Newport, South Wales Pay Rate: £172.98 per day Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Contract: September Start – End of Academic Year (Immediate start for the right appl
Reference
UK1006ET
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
Secondary Cover Supervisor- Newcastle Upon TyneLocation: Newcastle Salary: £90–£110 per day (paid weekly via PAYE) Job Type: Flexible (Part-time and Full-time available) Start Date: September 2026Are
Reference
HE_Cs
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£162 - 230 per day
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Northumberland
Description
Job Title: PE Specialist Teacher Location: Northumberland (North East) Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time Opportunities Available Start Date: ASAP / September StartAbout the Role: We are currently seeki
Reference
JR395872905
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£130 - 251 per day
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
Psychology Teacher Newcastle upon Tyne September 2026 £130–£251 per day (depending on experience)Are you an enthusiastic and inspiring Psychology Teacher looking for your next opportunity this Sep
Reference
HE-PT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£168.80 - 232.40 per day
Location free text
Wimborne St Giles
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Dorset
Description
➗ Maths & Science Teacher – KS2/KS3 | Dorchester ➗Are you a passionate and adaptable teacher looking for your next opportunity? Teaching Personnel is working with a welcoming middle school in Dorchest
Reference
ks3 Maths/Science
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Harrow
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Harrow
Description
We are seeking a knowledgeable and engaging Bookkeeping Teacher to deliver high-quality teaching to learners studying bookkeeping and accounting qualifications. This role is ideal for someone passio
Reference
Book keeping
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West London Secondary & SENAuthor
West London Secondary & SENRelated posts
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
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job