Lowest GCSE progress in deprived areas

Schools in the most deprived areas have made the lowest relative progress at GCSE level, according to a new report from the Prince’s Trust.

It found that half of the ten most deprived areas in England have a below median improvement in GCSE results. In addition, 29 of the top 35 most deprived areas in England in 2004 were also in the top 35 most deprived in 2000.

The report, from the London School of Economics, is part of a five-year partnership between the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Prince’s Trust to help young people in deprived areas get back into education, employment or training.