Calls for ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged young people after GCSEs
A coalition of 14 social mobility organizations is advocating for a 'student premium' to support disadvantaged young people after their GCSEs. They argue that funding currently drops off after GCSEs, leaving vulnerable students without necessary support during critical educational years. The coalition estimates that implementing this premium would cost around £430 million annually from 2027-28 and could help reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neet).
- ▪The coalition highlights that disadvantaged students' attainment lags significantly behind their peers by the end of 16-19 education.
- ▪They propose a 16-19 student premium to provide targeted support, including tutoring and mentoring, to help students achieve vital qualifications.
- ▪The number of 16 to 24-year-olds classified as Neet rose to 957,000, or 12.8% of that age group, according to the Office for National Statistics.
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The coalition says the attainment of students facing disadvantage remains significantly behind their peers by the end of 16–19 education. Photograph: Yaroslav Astakhov/Getty Images/iStockphotoView image in fullscreenThe coalition says the attainment of students facing disadvantage remains significantly behind their peers by the end of 16–19 education. Photograph: Yaroslav Astakhov/Getty Images/iStockphotoSocial mobilityCalls for ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged young people after GCSEsSocial mobility groups say post-16 funding gap risks young people falling out of education, work and trainingSally Weale Education correspondentTue 28 Apr 2026 02.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 02.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA coalition of 14 social mobility organisations is…
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