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‘Catch up plan’ needed to stop disadvantaged pupils falling further behind, says EPI

2 mins read Education Coronavirus
A multi-million pound package of practical support measures is needed to help disadvantaged pupils from falling further behind once schools reopen, a new report suggests.
Poorer pupils can fall 18 months behind peers by GCSE level. Picture: Adobe Stock
Poorer pupils can fall 18 months behind peers by GCSE level. Picture: Adobe Stock

A policy paper published by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) says such a “catch up plan” could prevent a significant widening of the attainment gap between poor children and the rest of the pupil population.

Research carried out by the EPI before the Covid-19 outbreak found that disadvantaged children are already on average 18 months of learning behind their wealthier peers by the time they sit their GCSEs.

Ahead of an expected announcement by the government on plans to reopen schools, the EPI said its proposals would provide critical support to those pupils whose learning had stalled during lockdown.

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