Pandemic Exacerbates Educational Disparities in England
Educational inequalities in England have grown wider and more pronounced since the pandemic. London pupils outperform those in other regions, with the attainment gap between the capital and the rest of the country increasing since 2019. The disparity in GCSE attainment between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students has risen, particularly affecting poor white children. The Institute for Government criticises the government for lacking a clear plan to address these inequalities, despite commitments to close the disadvantage gap. Experts and politicians urge urgent action on funding disparities and high pupil absence rates to reverse declining educational outcomes.