Abstract
The pandemic has lifted the lid on the unacceptable levels of disadvantage suffered by children and young people in our most deprived areas. We know that inequality and vulnerability are holding back educational attainment and social mobility, damaging pupil and school outcomes. Schools in the North of England have disproportionate numbers of vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
This lies at the heart of North-South educational inequalities. The evidence suggests that regional differences in learning loss during the pandemic were driven by disadvantaged pupils consistently falling behind. The pandemic has also highlighted the critical role increasingly played by schools in supporting the health and wellbeing needs of children and young people, especially in our most disadvantaged areas. These problems, schools’ efforts, and the accumulating evidence, demand a policy response.
This lies at the heart of North-South educational inequalities. The evidence suggests that regional differences in learning loss during the pandemic were driven by disadvantaged pupils consistently falling behind. The pandemic has also highlighted the critical role increasingly played by schools in supporting the health and wellbeing needs of children and young people, especially in our most disadvantaged areas. These problems, schools’ efforts, and the accumulating evidence, demand a policy response.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Child of the North |
| Subtitle of host publication | Building a fairer future after COVID-19 |
| Editors | Kate Pickett, David Taylor-Robinson |
| Publisher | The Northern Health Science Alliance and N8 Research Partnership |
| Chapter | 6 |
| Pages | 37-42 |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |