Pupils in deprived areas lack the work experience they need, research shows

According to a government-commissioned report, children from poorer areas are not getting the relevant work experience they need to prepare for the future.

The Work Experience and Related Activities in Schools and Colleges report stated that overall, satisfaction with work-related activities and work placements was high among schools and colleges.

However, it also stated that staff working in schools in high deprivation areas were “significantly less likely to feel that their school or college offered students enough placements of the right type”.

Forty-two per cent of staff in schools in areas of high deprivation revealed that they did not offer enough work experience placements, in comparison to the 58 per cent that stated they did.

Out of schools in low deprivation locations, 74 per cent also said they did offer enough placements, while 26 per cent said they did not.

The majority of people who took part in the research stated that extra funding was needed.