The poorest pupils in Wales are "significantly" behind their peers, according to a new study. There has been almost no improvement in this disadvantage over the last decade.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) conducted in study in 2019 prior to the coronavirus pandemic and found the gap between the poorest pupils and cohorts was between 22 and 23 months. The largest gap by area were as large as 25 to 28 months.
Pupils living with long-term and persistent poverty are even further behind and the persistent disadvantage gap was equal to 29 months. The EPI said policymakers need to do more to tackle the gaps, especially in Wales, where the gap was “notably worse” than England.
