Free school meal pupils falling further behind their peers, report warns

Researchers have revealed that the education divide is particularly stark in early years, with disadvantaged pupils falling further behind their more fortunate classmates than before the Covid pandemic. A report warns that these pupils are being left in the wake of their peers. Consequently, the Education Policy Institute has stated that the new prime minister should address this critical issue with laser-like focus to bridge the growing gap in educational attainment across the country.