Commenting on Lessons Learnt, a report by Sam Freedman for the Sutton Trust on the last two decades of education policies, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“This Sutton Trust report notes three major challenges dramatically impaired by a sustained lack of funding:
- A failure to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils eligible for Free School Meals and their peers over the past 20 years. The gap in GCSE results remains stubbornly high at around 20 percentage points.
- Cuts to post-16 education. Spending on colleges down 10% between 2010-2024 and sixth forms down 23%. This has led to a fall in teaching time, and in the number of qualifications taken.
- Pastoral support reduced at a time, when needed most. Support staff and teachers have been left to mitigate against the escalating issues of poverty, mental health and special needs as well as the pandemic fallout. The impact can be clearly seen – staff burnout, pupil absence, behaviour issues and increased suspension.”
Mr Shreeve went on to add,
“All of which, merely confirms what those working in education already know – a sustained flawed funding policy.
“Sir Peter Lampl, Founder of the Sutton Trust and of the Education Endowment Foundation is clear: ‘the talent of so many youngsters is being wasted’.
“We need good news and are looking forward to hearing the future plans from Government in the Autumn Budget statement.”
