Education secretary vows to reverse 'baked-in' inequality

Bridget Phillipson has pledged to reverse “baked-in” inequalities in educational outcomes to ensure young people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to “get on in life”.

- MILLIE COOKE

Speaking ahead of A-level results day on Thursday, the education secretary accused the Conservative Party of leaving behind a legacy of regional disparities and an attainment gap between private schools and their state school peers.

Ms Phillipson said societal failures have left too many children living in poverty and schools struggling with the pressures faced by families – something she said is a “big driver” of educational disparities between the most and least advantaged students.

Ms Phillipson also urged universities to do more to widen access to higher education, as well as offer “ongoing support” to students once they are on degree courses to ensure they do not drop out. This comes a month after a report from the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers is wider than it was a decade ago, despite around £9bn being spent on the problem over the last year.