The impact of poverty on young children’s experience of school Goretti Horgan This report explores how disadvantage affects children’s experience of primary school education. Improving educational attainment is vital if the goal of eradicating child poverty in a generation is to be met, but children growing up in poverty are rarely asked how this impacts on their school life. This study focuses on: n what children themselves think about school n how important education is to them n what children know about the hidden costs of education, and n how they experience school. It looks at what conversations reveal about the impact of poverty on their school lives, as well as describing the different experiences of those living in poorer and better-off circumstances. The researcher interviewed 220 children aged four to eleven in advantaged and disadvantaged schools in Northern Ireland, and talked to parents and teachers. This research will be of interest to policymakers, researchers, teachers and students interested in child poverty or education. This publication can be provided in other formats, such as large print, Braille and audio. Please contact: Communications, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP. Tel: 01904 615905. Email:
[email protected] The impact of poverty on young children’s experience of school Goretti Horgan The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has supported this project as part of its programme of research and innovative development projects, which it hopes will be of value to policymakers, practitioners and service users. The facts presented and views expressed in this report are, however, those of the author and not necessarily those of the Foundation.