ASCL members are committed to the national social mobility agenda and it is clear that there is still much work to be done to close the attainment gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their wealthier peers. Research by EPI1 indicates that

‘persistently disadvantaged pupils end primary school over a year behind their non-disadvantaged peers and are over two years behind by the end of secondary school.’

We believe that schools and colleges cannot do this alone and that we need joined up social policies which effectively tackle poverty.

Read the full response here.