Disadvantage gap in schools to be halved, ministers say

Ministers plan to set a target to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born under this government finish secondary school and will change how targeted disadvantage funding is distributed, the Schools White Paper says.

Ministers have set a target to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born under this government complete secondary school and will publish a Schools White Paper that outlines how to do this. The plan includes changes to how schools receive targeted disadvantage funding and new local programmes aimed at poorer performing areas. Leaked details of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms are also linked to the White Paper, including proposed changes to the timing of EHCP reassessments and a new Individual Support Plan. The White Paper is due to be published in full on Monday. Key facts: - The government will set a target to halve the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils by the time children born under this administration finish secondary school. - Targeted disadvantage funding could shift away from free school meal eligibility to measures that consider how low family income is, how long it has lasted, and where a child lives. - Two local programmes called Mission North East and Mission Coastal will be launched to tackle poorer performance among disadvantaged pupils, modelled on the earlier London Challenge. - Leaked proposals reported that from 2029 EHCPs would be reassessed at the end of primary school and that Individual Support Plans (ISPs) with legal footing would be introduced for children with SEND. - The White Paper sets a target for attendance to recover 20 million school days a year by the end of 2028/29 compared with 2023/24. - The plan includes incentives worth up to £15,000 for newly appointed headteachers to take posts in areas identified as needing leadership. Summary: The White Paper brings a package of policy changes aimed at reducing the link between background and educational outcomes and sets specific targets for attainment and attendance. It will be published in full on Monday and includes reported timelines for some SEND changes, including a proposed 2029 reassessment point for EHCPs. Further details on implementation and evaluation were not included in the report.