Policies to reduce inequality

• The Conservative-led coalition also introduced policies aimed at reducing it:

  • Free School Meals - For all children in reception, year 1 and year 2
  • The Pupil Premium - Money that schools receive for each pupil from a disadvantaged background
• Ofsted (2012) - Pupil Premium is not spent on those it is supposed to help. Only 1 in 10 head teachers said that it had significantly changed how they supported pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Part of the Conservative government's 'austerity' programme, spending on many areas of education has been cut: spending on school buildings - 60% cut, Sure Start centres were closed, EMA was abolished & university tuition fees tripled to over £9,000 a year
• Critics: Cutting Sure Start and the EMA has reduced opportunities for working-class pupils; increasing university fees may discourage them from entering higher education