Report: Educational trajectories of children from disadvantaged backgrounds

A report examined the educational trajectories of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It said children in this group were far less likely to become ‘high achievers’ at any stage, and that the early promise shown by the brightest students from disadvantaged backgrounds could be lost as they progressed through school, particularly at secondary school level.

The report said that the period between ages 11 and 16 was therefore a key time for intervention by policymakers.

The report also discussed choice of university and said that the system must provide potential applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds with advice, in order to encourage greater numbers of applications to elite institutions.