Education report card makes grim reading

In theatre and politics, atmosphere is all. In both scenarios, said atmosphere is commonly amplified by the onlookers.

In Greek drama, the chorus keep us right. Turn to Bertolt Brecht and such action as there is will be regularly interrupted by a dose of distancing didacticism. In panto, the comic lead will ruin the villain’s big scene with a deftly burst balloon.

Today, during questions to the first minister, the tone was set by her deputy. Boy, did he look glum.

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Which brings us to today’s report. To be absolutely clear, this is not new data. The Sutton Trust has taken the international Pisa findings, published in December, and matched pupil performance to household income.

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Now it is possible to challenge the Pisa findings, to question their methodology, their sampling, their interpretation. It is equally possible to challenge today’s analysis by the Sutton Trust, an organisation which campaigns on behalf of disadvantaged children.

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