Disadvantaged secondary school pupils in Hertfordshire fell further behind their classmates during the coronavirus pandemic, new figures show.

It follows the trend seen across England, and education charity SHINE said it is "saddened but not surprised" to see disadvantaged children fall behind.

Department for Education figures show 27.1% of disadvantaged children in Hertfordshire achieved grade five or above in GCSE English and maths in 2021-22, compared to 63.2% for all other children.

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It meant the attainment gap was 36.1 percentage points last year – up from 33.6 in 2018-19, the last academic year uninterrupted by Covid-19.

Dr Helen Rafferty, senior programme manager at the charity, said: "We know that children from poorer backgrounds lost out on more learning than their wealthier peers, are more likely to experience challenges with attendance, and are most in need of stability and support from schools and teachers.

"Now, without intervention, the cost-of-living crisis and mooted cuts to already-stretched school budgets risk widening the gap even further."

Nationally, 29.5% of disadvantaged children reached grade five or above in English and maths, whereas 56.8% of all other children achieved the grades.

It means the attainment gap rose from 25.2 percentage points in 2018-19 to 27.3 in 2021-22.

And the figures also show that across England, the disadvantage gap index – a broader measure of child performance at school – reached its largest point in 10 years in 2021-22 after widening throughout the pandemic.

Watford Observer: Dr Helen Rafferty said: Now, without intervention, the cost-of-living crisis and mooted cuts to already-stretched school budgets risk widening the gap even further. Dr Helen Rafferty said: Now, without intervention, the cost-of-living crisis and mooted cuts to already-stretched school budgets risk widening the gap even further. (Image: PA)

SHINE said the link between deprivation and children's school performance existed long before Covid-19, but that the pandemic "amplified existing inequities".

Dr Rafferty warned that school leaders must make impossible decisions due to budget cuts just as disadvantaged children need increased support, and said that targeted support for specific children and schools in certain areas is required to close the gap.

"Additional funding should be targeted at children and schools who experience persistent long-term disadvantage, whom we know are at the greatest risk of falling behind," she added.

The Department for Education said it is rolling out a £5 billion education recovery programme following the pandemic.

A spokesperson added that targeted investment for areas in need is also being provided to improve standards for pupils across the country.

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