Education and learning
Whilst Lambeth is narrowing gaps in performance so that all young people have an equal chance to succeed, there are still some inequalities that we need to tackle.
At GCSE level, half of pupils receiving free school meals (FSM) did not attain the required standard of five GCSE passes A* to C.
Similarly, whilst we have seen significant improvements in Lambeth’s schools for all ethnic groups, improvement has been greater for white British pupils than for ethnic minority groups overall and there are some groups for who there are significant gaps in attainment, particularly Portuguese and black Caribbean pupils.
In November 2016, the Commission heard evidence from a range of experts, including Cathy Twist (Lambeth’s Director of Education and Learning), Annie Hudson (Strategic Director, Children’s Services) and Feyisa Demi (Head of Research, Schools Research and Statistics Unit).
More than 40 people, including residents, including teachers, parents, governors, a number of commissioners and councillors, came to a public meeting at Lambeth College, to discuss the impact of inequality in education. A summary of their feedback and insight is below.