Government Unveils Ambitious Plan to Halve Attainment Gap in England's Schools
Published 21 February 2026
Highlights
- The UK government plans to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers by the end of secondary school for children born in this Parliament.
- The Schools White Paper will propose changes to how schools receive funding, potentially shifting focus from free school meals to broader income-based criteria.
- Reforms include controversial changes to support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), introducing Individual Support Plans (ISP) for all SEND students.
- Critics argue that without additional funding, the reforms may not effectively address educational disparities, with some fearing regional inequalities could be exacerbated.
- The current disadvantage gap index for year 11 students stands at 3.92, highlighting the persistent educational inequalities in England.
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Rewritten Article
Government Unveils Ambitious Plan to Halve Attainment Gap in England's Schools
The UK government has announced a bold initiative to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers in England by the time children born during this Parliament complete secondary school. This ambitious target is set to be a cornerstone of the forthcoming Schools White Paper, which will be fully unveiled on Monday.
Reforming Education Funding
Central to the proposed reforms is a significant overhaul of the funding criteria for schools. Currently, schools receive disadvantage funding based on the number of students eligible for free school meals, a measure linked to family income. The government now aims to broaden this criterion, potentially shifting funding priorities to better reflect family income levels. This move, however, has sparked debate, with some critics arguing that it could inadvertently entrench regional inequalities.
Support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The White Paper also outlines plans to reform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A key proposal is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISP) for all SEND students, ensuring that even those without an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) receive tailored support. However, this change has raised concerns among parents and educators about the potential impact on existing legal rights and the quality of support provided.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the government emphasizes the transformative potential of these reforms, critics caution that without additional funding, the changes may fall short. The current disadvantage gap index for year 11 students stands at 3.92, underscoring the persistent educational disparities. Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, warned that basing funding solely on income could exacerbate regional inequalities. Meanwhile, education advocates stress the need for increased investment rather than merely redistributing existing funds.
Voices from the Field
Parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has benefited from a funded virtual school, express concern over the potential rollback of legal protections under the new system. "It's an unhelpful, adversarial, complex system that is designed to make you give up," Luxford shared, highlighting the challenges faced by families navigating the current SEND support framework.
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Scenario Analysis
As the government prepares to implement these sweeping reforms, the education sector is poised for significant change. If successful, the initiative could dramatically improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, potentially serving as a model for other regions. However, the effectiveness of these reforms will largely depend on the allocation of additional resources and the ability to address regional disparities.
Political implications are also at play, with the reforms likely to become a focal point in future elections. The government's ability to deliver on its promises could influence public perception and voter confidence. As the debate continues, stakeholders across the education spectrum will be closely monitoring the impact of these changes on the ground.
The UK government has announced a bold initiative to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers in England by the time children born during this Parliament complete secondary school. This ambitious target is set to be a cornerstone of the forthcoming Schools White Paper, which will be fully unveiled on Monday.
Reforming Education Funding
Central to the proposed reforms is a significant overhaul of the funding criteria for schools. Currently, schools receive disadvantage funding based on the number of students eligible for free school meals, a measure linked to family income. The government now aims to broaden this criterion, potentially shifting funding priorities to better reflect family income levels. This move, however, has sparked debate, with some critics arguing that it could inadvertently entrench regional inequalities.
Support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The White Paper also outlines plans to reform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A key proposal is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISP) for all SEND students, ensuring that even those without an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) receive tailored support. However, this change has raised concerns among parents and educators about the potential impact on existing legal rights and the quality of support provided.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the government emphasizes the transformative potential of these reforms, critics caution that without additional funding, the changes may fall short. The current disadvantage gap index for year 11 students stands at 3.92, underscoring the persistent educational disparities. Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, warned that basing funding solely on income could exacerbate regional inequalities. Meanwhile, education advocates stress the need for increased investment rather than merely redistributing existing funds.
Voices from the Field
Parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has benefited from a funded virtual school, express concern over the potential rollback of legal protections under the new system. "It's an unhelpful, adversarial, complex system that is designed to make you give up," Luxford shared, highlighting the challenges faced by families navigating the current SEND support framework.
What this might mean
As the government prepares to implement these sweeping reforms, the education sector is poised for significant change. If successful, the initiative could dramatically improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, potentially serving as a model for other regions. However, the effectiveness of these reforms will largely depend on the allocation of additional resources and the ability to address regional disparities.
Political implications are also at play, with the reforms likely to become a focal point in future elections. The government's ability to deliver on its promises could influence public perception and voter confidence. As the debate continues, stakeholders across the education spectrum will be closely monitoring the impact of these changes on the ground.
