Laws: GCSE achievement gap shameful

12.53.00pm GMT Thu 11th Dec 2008

Government figures published today have revealed that four out of five white boys from deprived families have failed to achieve five good GCSEs including English and maths.

The data also showed that half of Chinese boys from similarly poor backgrounds were achieving five good GCSEs. Liberal Democrats criticised the Government for failing to tackle the gulf between the richest and the poorest in the country.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said:

"We should be ashamed to live in a country where there is such a huge achievement gap between rich and poor children.

"The fact that four out of five boys from poor families are failing to achieve five good GCSEs including English and maths is totally unacceptable.

"This Government has failed to tackle the gulf that exists between the opportunities of most of the poorest and the richest in our society.

"Over half of poor Chinese boys achieve the five A*-C standard. Urgent questions must be asked about why white boys from similarly deprived backgrounds are falling behind.

"Ending entrenched disadvantage will take more than tinkering. We need a Pupil Premium to increase the per pupil funding of the poorest pupils to private school levels, allowing for more catch-up classes and additional support to give every child a chance."