Education secretary promises 'more and early action' on areas suffering inequalities in education
Education minister Bridget Phillipson welcomed record numbers of top A-level results nationwide and pupils getting their first choice-university place. But she says she is determined to push forward with plans which will level up opportunities for pupils in regions nationwide.
.Speaking to the Express & Star, she said the fact the West Midlands saw a year-on year-drop in entries receiving top grade was 'concerning'.
The West Midlands saw top grades fall from 7.9 percent to 7.4 per-cent and the North East of England - her own home territory - was the other to see a drop, down to 6.8 per-cent from 7.8 per-cent last year.
In terms of pupils receiving either A or A star results, the West Midlands was down to 24.2 per cent from 24.8 per cent last year although the figures on pupils receiving grade C and above were slightly up.
Ahead of the results, Mrs Phillipson, who is also the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, warned of "massive" inequality in England's education system, citing regional disparities in results and attainment gaps between children at stat and private schools and those in working class are
She said on Thursday: "Whilst we have seen a great set of results across the West Midlands and credit must go to the pupils who have worked so hard as well as the schools and further education establishments and staff and parents it is a concern that we do see these inequalities in working class areas.
Like in previous years, results today have exposed inequalities which continue to exist in the education system, with big gaps between regions and with poor outcomes year on year for pupils from white working-class backgrounds.
This follows the government setting out a clear focus on tackling these issues head on and ensuring white working-class pupils – especially boys – are supported to thrive in school and go on to get well-paid jobs.
"The difference may be small in the likes of the West Midlands and the North East but it is noticeable and it is important that we fight against what can be seen as an intrenched inequality that has been there for many years in areas such as these.
"The gap in achievement we see between our poorest and most affluent children at 16 is baked in before they even start school, creating a vicious cycle of lost life chances that’s all too visible in the shameful number of young people not earning or learning
"For us this starts in the early years of education from the age of five and the Sure Start plane for children will put vital money into early years provision and creating Best Start Family Hubs putting in £9bn in funded childcare where needed and increasing early years places.
"We will put millions in to improve quality in early years settings and reception classes and it will be spent where most needed but across the board to give all children the best start in life and the chance to progress on their education journey.
"The white paper to be published later this year will set out how we plan for all post 16 and higher education establishments to be funded on an equal level, giving all pupils in any region the opportunity to progress on their education or training journey.
"In the West Midlands the Dudley College of Technology has recently been named as one of only ten Centres of Technical Excellence for the Construction centre and we are working with colleges and employers who provide apprenticeships throughout the region to fund and provide more opportunities
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