Trends in GCSE attainment gaps

National improvements on the headline GCSE attainment measure have quickened in recent years. This has been accompanied by a fall in the performance gaps between different groups of pupils. Some substantial gaps remain, especially by different levels of poverty or deprivation. Others, such as those for most ethnic groups have virtually disappeared.

These patterns raise the possibility that this headline indicator is no longer an an adequate measure of performance gaps that still exist and are clear on other measures.