It is well-documented that children from economically disadvantaged households often start school behind their peers and gaps only widen further through primary and secondary school (Sutton Trust, 2024). For example, in 2023, the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers in primary schools was 10.3 months and by the end of secondary school, the disadvantage gap stood at 19.2 months (Education Policy Institute, 2024).
Furthermore, the disadvantage attainment gap has profound consequences not only for children's academic outcomes but, crucially, for their subjective sense of how good they feel their lives are (life satisfaction) which is also linked to higher levels of wellbeing in later life.
The factors contributing to the attainment gaps and consequently to lower levels of wellbeing are varied and complex. They can be caused by factors in the home and in school, and often intersect with other social issues such as poverty, social class and race. Addressing these root causes requires a multi-faceted approach—whether that’s influencing policy, volunteering as a tutor, or educating ourselves on the barriers to learning.
Below, we’ve outlined a handful of ways you can contribute to improving the educational outcomes and life opportunities of young people.
- Understand issues surrounding the attainment gap. Not sure where to start? The Closing the Attainment Gap report from the Sutton Trust provides a comprehensive overview of what the attainment gap is, how it is measured and the long-term impact for both individuals and the wider economy. For a broader view, The Centre for Public Policy Research in the School of Education, Communication & Society, run a seminar series exploring questions of social justice, with topics ranging from education and educational policy to youth work.
- Volunteer your time to mentor or tutor with educational charities. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that tutoring is a highly effective intervention. Visit King’s Volunteering to connect with charities who are doing just that or join our “Connecting with Charities: Education & Young people” hosted in partnership with the School of Education, Communication & Society. This event will showcase community organisations tackling social issues that matter to young people and their educational outcomes.
- Become a school governor. Contribute to a school's performance as a governor, working alongside senior leaders and a dedicated governing body to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils. Interested? Sign up for the Pathway to Governance, an online programme delivered by Governors for Schools in partnership with King’s Volunteering, to learn what it takes to be an effective governor.
- Be part of a network dedicated to making a difference. If you're a member of staff at King’s, join the network of Widening Participation Champions and help advance the university’s missions to support under-represented students in accessing, thriving and succeeding in higher education. For students, contribute to KCLSU’s initiatives, designed to improve both access and experience of university for under-represented students.
Whilst complex, the educational attainment gap is a pressing issue, affecting both individual and society. Bridging this gap requires a collective effort, whether that’s through direct action or by influencing change. Your involvement, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in creating a more equitable education system and a brighter future for all.
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