Bright pupils from poor families can lag 3 years behind better-off peers

Bright disadvantaged teenagers in England lag more than two-and-a-half years behind their affluent classmates in core academic subjects, according to new research.

The gap is worst among girls, with clever pupils from poorer backgrounds around three years behind in reading and science.

The Sutton Trust, which published the study, said it was ‘staggering’ that these youngsters are so far behind, warning it is a ‘huge waste of talent’. It follows a pledge by Theresa May to help raise attainment in working-class children to increase the numbers entering university.

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Sutton Trust chairman Sir Peter Lampl said: ‘It is staggering that at age 16 bright but poor pupils lag behind their rich classmates by almost three years. This results in a huge waste of talent which is why we are calling on government to establish a highly able fund.

‘This would improve social mobility at the top by widening access to leading universities and to top jobs.

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