How has school segregation by poverty changed in the Northeast of England, 2007-2024?

Professor Nadia Siddiqui, Durham University 

Abstract

School segregation by poverty remains a key concern in England, particularly in the Northeast, the region with the highest levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. This paper examines trends in segregation by Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility between 2007 and 2024 across 12 local authorities, comparing regional patterns with national trends. The findings show an overall decline in segregation, broadly in line with national changes, although several local authorities remain persistently above the national level. Higher levels of segregation are associated with lower average attainment at Key Stages, indicating the educational costs of concentrated poverty. Regression analysis suggests that local authority–level segregation contributes modest but consistent explanatory power in predicting attainment. Overall, the findings highlight the potential role of reducing school segregation in addressing regional attainment inequalities in the Northeast.

Bio

Professor Nadia Siddiqui has academic expertise in education research and equity in education. She has led important research projects contributing evidence for education policy in England and evaluation studies of widely used catch-up learning programmes in primary schools. Her research focuses on how educational programmes are implemented and what contextual factors influence their outcomes. The studies she has led have provided valuable insights into the ways classroom practices, teacher engagement, and school environments shape learning and progress. Across her funded projects, Professor Siddiqui combines methodological rigour with practical relevance, emphasising the importance of understanding implementation alongside impact. Her research aims to inform more effective and equitable education systems, contributing evidence that helps policymakers and practitioners design interventions grounded in real-world classroom practice.

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