Minding the Attainment Gap During the Cost-of-Living Crisis

Despite decades of policy focus, the attainment gap between poorer pupils and their more well-off classmates is just as large now as it was 20 years’ ago.

Disadvantaged children are still far less likely to meet expected attainment levels by the end of primary school and those who do remain significantly less likely to receive good GCSEs in English and maths, compared with better off peers.

These persistent disparities prevent children from reaching their unique potential for success and negatively impact life chances. And while the pandemic has likely contributed to increased inequalities in education, as we emerge from one crisis, we are faced with another: the substantial rise in the cost of living…

This webinar lifts the lid on the cost-of-living crisis and the risks it poses to disadvantaged children’s wellbeing and attainment.

We are joined by an expert panel, including Lauren Whateley from Bookmark Reading Charity, to discuss:

• New insights on the disadvantage gap
• Practical advice on how schools can ensure it doesn’t widen during the cost-of-living crisis
• The allocation of pupil premium funding during the crisis
• How schools can develop low cost, high impact initiatives that effectively target, engage, and elevate attainment and wellbeing for disadvantaged pupils.