Disappointment in “forgotten third”

Driver Youth Trust’s vision is to ensure every young person can access the highest quality education that is responsive to their literacy needs.

Whilst we welcome ASCL’s Commission into the “forgotten third” of learners who do not achieve a standard pass in English and mathematics, it is disappointing that the final report does not mention Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), literacy difficulties or literacy specific conditions such as dyslexia.

Learners with literacy difficulties are likely to be significantly overrepresented within the forgotten third. The Commission is focusing on the third of students do not achieve at least a standard pass (grade 4) in GCSE English and mathematics. However, in 2018, two-thirds (67%) of learners with a specific learning difficulty did not achieve a standard pass in English and mathematics at Key Stage 4.

In May 2019, we submitted a response to ASCL expressing these concerns. We encourage you to read it in full here.