Factors influencing primary and secondary pupils’ educational outcomes
27 September 2024
These reports present the findings of rapid literature reviews that aimed to support the Department for Education (DfE) Education and Outcomes Panel Studies (EOPS) by identifying the range of factors known to affect the attainment outcomes of primary and secondary pupils. EOPS includes two major studies – Five to Twelve and Growing up in the 2020s – which will track children and young people through primary and secondary education. This will provide high quality longitudinal evidence on the factors that help to explain educational disadvantage and inequalities. The reviews were led by NFER in partnership with NatCen Social Research and the National Children’s Bureau.
Key Findings
- There is a negative association between children and young people’s attainment and poor socio-economic circumstances of their home environment (such as living in a family with a low income, low parental education, parental worklessness and poor housing).
- Mental health problems (such as depression), and risky behaviours (such as smoking and alcohol use) present a risk to young people’s attainment outcomes.
- Children and young people’s cognitive and wider abilities (such as conscientiousness and motivation) as well as their physical health are positively associated with academic attainment.
- Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those with adverse childhood experiences (such as exposure to abuse, neglect and violence) often face additional challenges and have poorer attainment outcomes.
- Children’s attainment can be positively influenced by attending high quality early childhood education and care (ECEC), having a positive home learning environment and being ready to start school. School factors can also be important for attainment in both phases of education, including strong leadership, high teacher expectations, quality teaching, positive relationships between teachers, parents and pupils, and access to engaging curricular and extra-curricular activities.