This Education Policy Institute (EPI) report investigates the drivers of the disadvantage gap and calls on the government to address the underlying causes of school absences, as it identifies higher levels of absence to be a key factor in the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.
The report indicates that the disadvantage gap for children in their reception year has grown to 4.6 months in 2023, an increase of 0.4 months since 2019. This early disparity sets a worrying precedent, with the gap continuing to widen as pupils progress through the education system. By age 11, the gap has reached 10.3 months, and by age 16, a substantial 19.2 months. Notably, increased absence rates among disadvantaged pupils are identified as a major contributing factor, particularly at the secondary level.
Gender disparities also persist, although the picture is more nuanced. While girls in reception are ahead of boys, the gap has remained relatively stable when other factors are considered. At age 11 and 16, the gap between girls and boys has narrowed, however, this narrowing is even more pronounced when prior attainment and absence are taken into account.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continue to face significant challenges. The report shows a widening gap for reception-aged pupils on SEN support, while at age 11 and 16, there has been some narrowing of the gap, though this progress is slowed by rising absence rates among SEND students.
Ethnicity and English as an additional language (EAL) also play a role in educational outcomes. While White British pupils generally outperform other ethnic groups in early years, the report highlights varying levels of progress across different ethnic groups as pupils progress through the system. Notably, pupils from Chinese, Indian, and "Any Other Asian Backgrounds" have shown improved attainment relative to White British pupils at age 11. Pupils with EAL show a narrowing gap at KS2 and KS4 when they are recent arrivals to the english school system.