New figures confirm that deaf children are falling behind at school

Government figures, published today - 28 May 2009 - by NDCS, show that deaf children's GCSE results continue to lag behind those of all children, and may even be falling further behind.

In 2008, just 28% of deaf children achieved five GCSEs at grades A* to C (including Engish and Maths), compared to 48% of all children.

This means that deaf children were 42% less likely than all children to achieve this milestone.

Last year, deaf children were 41% less likely - suggesting that the achievement gap has actually widened in the past year.

In all regions across England, deaf children are under achieving but the worst performing region is London, where deaf children are 50% less likely than all children to achieve five GCSEs at grades A* to C (including English and Maths).

NDCS has issued a press release highlighting our serious concerns over what the data shows. Given that deafness is not a learning disability, we do not believe there should be any achievement gap.

The press release recognises the hard work of teachers and other specialist staff in supporting deaf children and calls on local authorities to provide more funding and resources to make sure that all deaf children are able to fulfil their potential.  

NDCS will use these figures to continue our Close the gap campaign for action to ensure that all deaf children are able to fulfil their potential. Last year, NDCS published the Must do better! report setting out a dozen urgent recommendations for the Government to act on.

What do you think?

• How do you feel about the new figures showing a wide achievement gap?
  
• What action do you think needs to be taken by the Government to close the gap?

Have your say by emailing us or leaving a comment at the bottom of this page.

More information

• Find out more about what the data shows >
• NDCS is campaigning to close the gap. Read more >