The 'education gap' hiding behind picture-perfect Cornwall and Devon
Despite their reputation as affluent tourist destinations, Cornwall and Devon face significant educational disparities and poverty. Experts argue that traditional government deprivation metrics fail to account for the unique challenges of rural coastal living.
Why it matters
The report challenges the 'North-South divide' narrative, suggesting that rural poverty in the South is often overlooked by current policy frameworks.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The South West peninsula is England's top tourist destination
This year, millions of holidaymakers will head to Cornwall and Devon for their sandy beaches and pretty coastal towns - just two reasons why the South West peninsula is England's top tourist destination.
Yet behind its wild coastal beauty and affluent towns lies a different story: one of lost opportunities and the unfulfilled potential of many growing up in the region.
On almost every measure, the region is among the weakest educationally, according to the South West Social Mobility Commission, a coalition of organisations trying to bring about change.
Disparities in GCSE results are often framed through the lens of a North-South divide, but that narrative can obscure the challenges facing children in coastal and rural parts of England.
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