Regional inequalities in accessing higher education widen across England

The regional gap in access to higher education across England has widened at its fastest rate in years.

Disadvantaged pupils in London are now more than twice as likely to go on to university as those in parts of the North and South West, according to recent government data and education experts.

Regional differences are stark. In Blackpool, just 11.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals progress to higher education, compared with 73.2% in Redbridge in East London. In inner London, 50.7% of disadvantaged pupils attend university, compared to only 19.3% in the South West.

Without ‘urgent, sustained action’ to address these inequalities, the gap will continue to widen

A-level results show further disparities. In London, 32.1% of entries earned an A or A* grade, compared with 22.9% in the North East, marking the widest regional gap since at least 2019. Ofqual, the exam regulator for England, noted that differences within regions can be greater than those between them.

Department for Education (DfE) figures also reveal that the number of disadvantaged students attending higher education has fallen for the second year in a row.

Experts attribute these divides to poverty, structural inequalities, and the long-term impact of Covid-19.

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “This is not about school quality […] It is about deep-rooted structural inequalities that no government has seriously addressed.”

He stressed that without “urgent, sustained action” to address these inequalities, the gap will continue to widen and that this will not reflect any lack of ability among students or teachers.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership highlighted that university application gaps between London and the North East have increased from 19% to 26% since the pandemic.

We have to stop merely talking about these issues and […] address them with investment in communities suffering from generational disadvantage

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged to tackle inequalities through expanding free school meals, breakfast clubs, and targeted investment in disadvantaged regions.

Natalie Perera, Chief Executive of the Education Policy Institute, called for a fully funded child poverty strategy, incentives to reduce exclusions in school, and financial incentives to attract top teachers to schools serving disadvantaged communities.

Carl Cullinane, Director of Research at the Sutton Trust, added: “If the government is going to break down barriers to opportunity, the growth in regional inequalities must be reversed.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, noted that broader community investment in opportunities for young people is also essential. He said: “We have to stop merely talking about these issues and actually address them with investment in communities suffering from generational disadvantage.”

It is encouraging that the government is looking to make regional differences […] but it needs to move quickly

Graeme Atherton, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of West London

While top A-level grades have reached a record high outside of Covid years, this improvement is concentrated in London, the South East, and major cities. In many disadvantaged areas, results remain below pre-pandemic levels.

DfE figures also show that the gap between state and private school progression rates has reached a record high. Only 28.2% of state school pupils attended high-tariff universities, compared with 60.4% of independent school pupils.

Graeme Atherton, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of West London, said: “It is encouraging that the government is looking to make regional differences the centre of its widening access policy, but it needs to move quickly as the situation is worsening every year.”