The idyllic landscapes of Cornwall and Devon, with their picturesque towns and stunning beaches, attract millions of tourists each year. However, beneath this charming facade lies a hidden struggle, an 'education gap' that threatens to stifle the potential of the region's youth.
The South West Social Mobility Commission has revealed a stark reality: the region lags behind in educational attainment, a fact often overshadowed by the traditional North-South divide narrative. This disparity is particularly evident when examining GCSE results, which highlight the challenges faced by children in coastal and rural England.
The Impact of 'Pretty Poverty'
Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope, an expert in education, describes the situation in the South West as 'pretty poverty'. She believes that growing up in a low-income family in a rural coastal community can be a toxic combination, hindering young people's ability to reach their full potential. This perspective challenges the government's measures of disadvantage, which, according to Prof Ovenden-Hope, are not suited to the unique needs of rural and coastal areas.
Rural Realities and Teacher Recruitment
The rural nature of Cornwall and Devon presents unique challenges. Higher housing costs and the necessity of car ownership impact teacher recruitment and training. Dominic Wilkes, a headteacher who moved from Greater Manchester to Bude, North Cornwall, highlights the remoteness of some communities as a deterrent for young teachers. Despite these challenges, Wilkes believes that better teacher retention fosters a deeper connection to the local community.
Limited Horizons and Aspirations
The remoteness of coastal towns like Bude limits the opportunities available to students. Ethan, a Year 10 pupil, dreams of becoming a marine biologist but faces challenges accessing work experience placements due to long travel distances. Burt, a Year 9 student, had to travel to Oxfordshire and Coventry to participate in the National Youth Choir, highlighting the additional costs and efforts required for such opportunities.
The Divide Deepens
The education gap in the South West potentially widens the divide between families. Those with financial means can afford long-distance trips or holidays, while others struggle to manage basic needs amidst a rising cost of living. This disparity is further evident in the local employment landscape, with much of the work focused on farming or tourism, prompting young adults to seek careers elsewhere.
Addressing the Gap
The South West Mobility Commission is advocating for locally generated solutions. Nick Wakeling, a teacher at Colyton Grammar School, runs the Colyton Foundation, a charity supporting young people into university. One of their initiatives, Your Future Story, aims to support 1,000 secondary school pupils from lower-income families through targeted support. Libby, a beneficiary, is now considering a creative degree after a trip to Falmouth arranged by the foundation.
A Call for Action
While the South West has the highest proportion of people who received free school meals as children in sustained work by the age of 28, the region still faces significant challenges in educational attainment. The government's Mission Coastal pilot projects in Hastings and Scarborough aim to find transferable approaches, but the more rural and coastal South West may require unique solutions. The hope is to open doors and cut the link between background and success, ensuring every child has hope for the future.
