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<p>Educational achievement is at the heart of this Government’s commitment to ensure
no young person is left behind because of the place or circumstances of their birth.
Due to our reforms, 86% of pupils attend a Good or Outstanding school compared with
66% in 2010.</p><p>‘Working class’ is not a description recognised or measured by
the Department. We measure the outcomes of those pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
as defined by the benefit-related definition for ‘disadvantaged’. We recognise that
young people from disadvantaged backgrounds – including those currently or formerly
claiming free school meals and currently or formerly looked after - may face extra
challenges in achieving their potential at school. We introduced the pupil premium
in 2011 and have invested over £15 billion – and another £2.4 billion this year –
so that schools have the resources to provide extra support for disadvantaged pupils
of all abilities. White disadvantaged boys and girls constitute the largest group
of eligible pupils and so benefit significantly from this extra support.</p><p>Against
a background of rising standards, disadvantaged pupils are catching up with their
peers. The attainment gap index shows that since 2011, the gap at the end of primary
school has narrowed by 13% and the gap at the end of secondary school has narrowed
by 9%. This indicates better prospects for a secure adult life for disadvantaged pupils.
Our reforms, and the focus provided by the pupil premium, have supported this improvement.</p><p>The
Department recognises there is more to do for disadvantaged pupils. Our ambition is
to halve the number of children who finish Reception without the communication and
reading skills they need to thrive. Our £72 million Opportunity Areas programme will
focus resource on areas with low social mobility. We have also dedicated £24 million
to Opportunity North East to address the specific challenges in that region.</p><p>The
Department’s establishment of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) with a £137
million grant has ensured that schools have access to high quality, evidence-based,
effective practice drawn from hundreds of trials across England. We recommend that
schools consult the EEF’s resources, particularly its recent ‘Pupil Premium Guide’,
when they are considering how best to support their pupils and close the attainment
gap.</p>
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