Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Rejected
England demonstrates strong relative performance in disadvantaged children's educational attainment internationally.
Conclusion
The Department told us that, compared to other countries, England performs relatively well in terms of disadvantaged children’s attainment.13 The OECD recently cited the UK as one of 10 highly equitable countries, meaning that the difference in maths, science and reading results that could be explained by socioeconomic status was lower than the OECD average.14 It also found that the UK had above average proportions of “academically resilient” pupils, who were among the best academic performers but in the bottom quartile for socioeconomic background.15 The Department stressed that, while recognising this success, it must not become complacent. It described aiming to close the significant gap between children of different backgrounds and continuing to aspire for high standards for every child, although this was ambitious, and no other country had achieved this aim.16
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the Committee's conclusion, stating that the Department for Education strongly agrees too many children are held back by their background, and reiterates its commitment to the Opportunity Mission.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
1.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 1.2 The Department for Education strongly agrees too many children are held back by their background, with gaps between disadvantaged children and their peers opening early and widening throughout education. These gaps are not acceptable. The department is the lead department for the government’s Opportunity Mission, an ambitious, long-term and cross- governmental mission to break the link between a young person’s background and future success. This mission underpins the department’s work, including to help every child to achieve and thrive at school, and has a specific focus on improving outcomes for disadvantaged children.