Gap between rich and poor students hits a 12-year high

THE gap between the richest and poorest university students has reached the widest point in 12 years, new figures have revealed.

Better-off pupils, who were not eligible for free school meals, were significantly more likely to go to university in 2018/19 (45.1 per cent) than their peers who were eligible for free school meals (26.3 per cent), according to the Department for Education report.

At 18.8 percentage points, the distance between the two groups is the widest it has been since 2006/7.

Julie Mcculloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “More disadvantaged children are going to higher education than ever before, but unfortunately these statistics show that progress has stalled over the past three years, while the proportion from more affluent homes has continued to rise.

“We must redouble our make participation in higher education more equitable, and this is a job for us all, not just universities. We have to tackle educational gaps early in life through more investment in highquality early-years education, ensure that our schools and colleges are sufficiently funded, and improve the way in which we support the schools which serve our most deprived communities.”

The figures also revealed that black pupils were still the least likely ethnic group to progress into higher tariff universities in 2018/19 (9.8 per cent), although this rate has more than doubled since 2009/10.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We must ensure that all those who have the ability, attainment and desire to pursue higher education are given high-quality options that will lead to the good graduate jobs that will transform their lives.

“The universities minister recently called for institutions to do even more to raise ... aspiration in schools.”