A Tynwald select committee has found a “substantial and persistent” attainment gap between children receiving free school meals and their peers in secondary schools.
The report, published by the Select Committee on Poverty, reveals that pupils from low-income households are significantly less likely to achieve five good GCSEs including English and Maths.
At Ballakermeen High School, the gap between FSM and non-FSM students achieving five GCSEs at grade C or above including English and Maths reached 49.9 percentage points in 2023.
The committee said the evidence shows “socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils are significantly less likely to achieve the qualifications that are most important for progression to further education, employment and higher lifetime earnings”.
Recommendations
Ramsey Grammar School reported that FSM attendance drops sharply to around 72% in Years 10 and 11, compared to 87-91% among their peers.
The report makes 26 recommendations, including moving the Early Help and Support function to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and developing a unified family-hub model.
The committee also calls for consistent access to affordable breakfast provision across all schools and for Government to consider reinstating free bus travel for all school children.
Committee Chair Juan Watterson said: “Looking at parts of our health and education system through the lens of poverty can make for uncomfortable reading, but we believe we have made realistic suggestions for improving our collective ambition.”