Our word, if only there were a possible solution to this difficult problem

This seems just terrible:

A critical three-year period between the ages of 11 and 14 has been identified as the point at which talented children from low-income backgrounds fall behind their wealthier peers at school, according to new research.

The study tracked high-ability children from the age of five, from the lowest and highest income groups, and found that they progressed at similar rates until the first years of secondary school.

But by the time the two groups sat GCSEs or equivalent exams at 16 years old, those in the wealthier group were much more likely to gain top grades than those in the low-income group, and were more likely to take A-levels.

It’s terrible for the individuals, they don’t get to reach their full potential. It’s terrible for society as a whole - these individuals don’t get to reach their full potential.

We should do something about it. The question then becomes, well, what could be a solution to this terribly difficult problem?

What if, say, we identified these talented but poorer scholars? Offered them a more academic education better suited to their innate talents? Tested them - at, say, age 11 where the problem seems to arise - and then offered them that more academic education in a slightly different school setting?

That would appear to solve the problem, no? Call the exam the elevensies, or the eleventh, perhaps the 11 +. Hark back to the ancient times when the entire rigorous syllabus was named this, call the schools grammars perhaps. Seems to solve the problems being identified at least.

It’s a wonder no one ever thought of this before to be honest.

Tim Worstall