‘Waste of talent’ as poor pupils lag behind richer peers

BBC News reports on findings from our Global Gaps report.

Clever pupils from poorer homes in the UK are lagging behind their as able but better-off peers in maths, science and reading, analysis finds.

The Sutton Trust research finds the attainment gaps within the most able 10% of pupils are even bigger for girls than they are for boys.

The trust said it was a “huge waste of talent” that less advantaged young people were falling behind.

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The Sutton Trust analysis examined the 2015 results from international Pisa tests to look at the performance of the 10% of most able pupils in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and their socio-economic background.

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Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust, 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 at the Sutton Trust are calling on government to establish a ‘highly able fund’.

“High potential pupils would be monitored and given specific support.

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

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Read the full article here.