New figures from the Department for Education (DfE) reveal a troubling gap in educational attainment for young carers, according to national charity Carers Trust.
Analysis of data covering 14,847 young carers who completed primary or secondary school in England this summer shows that these students face significant disadvantages compared to their peers without caring responsibilities.
At secondary level, fewer than half (45%) of young carers left school with five GCSEs including English and Maths, compared with 60% of non-carers. Similarly, only 51% of young carers achieved GCSE passes in English and Maths, compared with 65% of students without caring responsibilities, highlighting a persistent attainment gap at this key stage.
The inequalities start even earlier. In primary school, just 49% of young carers reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and Maths, compared with 61% of non-carers. At Key Stage 2, young carers were also half as likely as their peers to achieve the higher standard in these core subjects (4% vs 8%).
Carers Trust has published these findings in a new report, Caring and Classes 2025 – Young Carers and Attainment Inequalities, which calls on the Government, combined authorities, and schools to take action. Recommendations include:
• Requiring all schools to appoint a Young Carer Lead and adopt a policy to support young carers.
• Improving monitoring and reporting of young carers’ attendance and progress.
• Providing additional funding for identification and support of young carers within schools.
Carers Trust emphasises that these measures are crucial to ensuring young carers receive the support they need to achieve their potential, both in education and beyond.
In South Tees, The Junction Foundation provides a wide range of
support to young carers, their families, and young adult carers across the area. They work closely with schools to ensure these young people receive the support they need.
To strengthen this support, The Junction has developed the ‘Young Carers Champion’ initiative - a programme designed specifically for schools to help young carers thrive and give them the best possible life chances. To find out more
Tel: 01642 756000 or Email: info@thejunctionfoundation.com
