'Two in five employers were not satisfied with literacy levels among school leavers.' (CBI survey,2013)

'GCSEs in England are changing to ensure that young people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the 21st Century' (GOV.UK)

'More than 40,000 youngsters a year reach 19 without having had any further lessons in English, after failing the subject at 16, for maths, the figure is more than 60,000 each year. (Department of Education,2013)

• Here in Scunthorpe we are part of what is known as a 'Social Mobility Cold Spot', which means we see disadvantaged families living in poverty, with a minimal upward social mobility. This can lead to emotional strain i.e low motivation, low aspiration and low confidence. 
• Low income families also are not supported through the private education sector, therefore a child from a high income background typical has access to more support and a better education to succeed (achieve the A*-C at 16)
• According to the State of the Nation report, in 2019, people
  from working class backgrounds in professional jobs earned about £6,000 less than their more privileged counterparts in professional jobs.

"Education remains the key driver of the gap in adult earnings between sons from disadvantaged and affluent families in parts of England where the pay gap is smaller and inequality is lower. Education explains almost all of the earnings difference in those places. In other words, disadvantaged sons earn less than sons from richer families because they have lower levels of educational attainment" (The Long Shadow of Deprivation, 2020, p.3)  

'You feel like there's something wrong with you. I'm 18, and I'm being put into a class with 15-year-olds' (BBC, 2017)

• Re-sit in the November if they were close to achieving in year 11. 
• Re-sit the full year if not close, which in turn will hold them back a year
• In some circumstances learners can be accepted onto for example CTEC Photography, as it would not be possible to put them on an A Level programme without these qualifications

The pupils stuck in a cycle of maths and English resits

• May lead to Social Mobility - Social Mobility refers to the shift in an individuals social status that may then impact generationally. 
• Employers are requesting these qualifications- having them may decrease the unemployment rate and have a domino effect on crime rates.

• Does not take into consideration learners future aspirations, job goals.
• Less understanding of learners needs, impacts mental health. Achieving these qualifications can be a confidence boost to a young learner who previously had low self esteem regarding education and aspirations. 

The digital divide
The broader inequalities affecting schools were well illustrated by the digital inequality exposed throughout the pandemic. Schools in our most deprived areas were less likely to have the necessary digital technology for remote teaching, and their teachers were less likely to be trained in the use of online platforms. (Child of the North, 2021)