‘Closing the gap’: the conditions under which children in care are most likely to catch up in mainstream schools

BSTRACTChildren ‘in care’ have, on average, lower educational attainment than their peers. This article tests the hypothesis that many of these children can ‘catch-up’, if in stable placements and secondary schools ‘apparently effective’ with other ‘similar’ difficulties. In a cohort 542,998 16-year-old English mainstream schools, those care for at least year were average 148,465 ranks behind peers measured age 7. At 16, 21% this group had ‘caught up’ improving ranking by amount. Allowing covariates, we found differentially effective disadvantaged pupil groups defined eligibility free school meals 7, bottom 3 deciles entry to school, or deemed need’ as having behavioural, emotional social As predicted, conditions catching up related placement stability measures school’s apparent impact groups. ‘worst’ 4% caught against 52% ‘best’. The results support hypotheses best practice reduce gaps between care, low attaining