ATL comment on Sutton Trust report on disadvantaged pupils

“It is clear from the Sutton Trust’s research that the so-called austerity agenda is having a devastating impact on disadvantaged children and white working class boys in particular. The removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), good face-to-face careers advice and swingeing cuts to local authority funding have all made it harder for young people to realise their full potential. Any new funding settlement following the comprehensive spending review must provide fairness to schools in disadvantaged areas to ensure pupils with the greatest needs get sufficient funding and support so they can achieve better educational outcomes. Instead of tinkering with poverty measures, while thousands of children are relying on food banks, the government needs to make a commitment to eradicate child poverty and tackle the root causes of disadvantage.”