A new campaign is launching today in response to the latest analysis by the Child of the North research initiative focused on school readiness, which highlights widening inequalities and the ongoing impact on children deemed ‘not ready’ to start school.

The campaign aims to build on the progress made since the release of a major report series last year, produced jointly by Child of the North and the Centre for Young Lives, which sets out practical, evidence-informed ways for the government to reset its vision for children and young people.

However, a new report Education Equity for the North of England: Challenges and Opportunities examining the latest data, provides a worrying outlook, highlighting how children ‘not ready’ to start school are at higher risk of issues such as poor dental health and being out of work or education in years to come. The Child of the North research group and partners are calling for more to be done.