pupils
students, especially children who attend a school.
In article: “Disadvantaged pupils were, on average, 19 months behind their classmates from better-off backgrounds by the time they got to Key Stage 4, the report said.”
學生；通常指在學校就讀的兒童或青少年。
Current Events · July 24, 2026
Free School Meal Pupils Falling Further Behind Their Peers, Report Warns
Today’s Friday society and education lesson looks at a BBC report on England’s widening disadvantage gap, with vocabulary for schools, public policy, and social mobility.
Level: intermediateTime: 5–10 minutes
Source article
Title: Free school meal pupils falling further behind their peers, report warns
Source: BBC News
Published: July 14, 2026
Original article: BBC News article link
Article Summary
BBC News reports that the Education Policy Institute warned that pupils eligible for free school meals are falling further behind their classmates in England. The report says the disadvantage gap has widened again since Covid and remains bigger at every phase of school than it was before the pandemic.
The article says ministers are trying to close the gap by expanding funded childcare and extending free school meal eligibility. Education groups called for sharper policy focus, more support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and changes to testing and assessment so more students can thrive.
文章摘要
BBC News 報導，英國教育政策研究所警告，在英格蘭，符合免費校餐資格的學生與同學之間的學習差距正在擴大。報告指出，疫情後弱勢差距再次拉大，而且在各個教育階段都比疫情前更嚴重。
文章表示，政府正試圖透過擴大公共資助托育、延伸免費校餐資格來縮小差距。教育團體則呼籲更明確的政策重點、為有特殊教育需求與身心障礙的孩子提供更多支持，並改革測驗與評量方式，讓更多學生有機會成功。
5 Daily Words
disadvantaged
having fewer social, economic, or educational advantages than other people.
In article: “For its measure of who counts as disadvantaged, the EPI looked at the educational outcomes of children who had ever been eligible for free school meals, compared with those who had not.”
處於不利地位的、弱勢的；在社會、經濟或教育資源上比他人較少優勢的。
eligible
allowed or qualified to receive something because certain conditions are met.
In article: “The EPI made a number of recommendations in its report for how to achieve it, including widening access to free funded childcare to all children, and increasing the amount of money schools can receive for the number of children they teach who are eligible for free school meals.”
符合資格的；因為達到特定條件而可以取得某項服務、福利或機會的。
attainment
the level of success, skill, or knowledge someone has reached, especially in education.
In article: “For pupils with SEND, the EPI found that attainment gaps had narrowed for older age groups, but were at their highest levels on record for children who had education, health and care plans.”
成就、達到的程度；特別指教育中的學習成果或學業表現。
statutory
required, created, or controlled by law rather than by choice or custom.
In article: “‘Statutory testing in primary must be ended and assessment approaches in secondary must broaden beyond end-of-course exams to allow all students to achieve and thrive,’ he said.”
法定的；由法律要求、設立或規範，而不是單純出於選擇或慣例的。