POORER teenagers are around 18 months behind their richer classmates in any given GCSE subject, a report reveals today.

Pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds were around 9.4 months behind their wealthier classmates at the end of primary school, according to a study by the Education Policy Institute.

By the time kids eligible for free school meals are studying for their GCSEs at 15 and 16, they are expected to be 18.4 months behind in each subject.

This has narrowed from 19.3 months in 2016, but the report warns that progress in closing the gap in English and maths has “stalled.” At the present rate, it will take nearly a century to completely close the gap, the report warns.

National Education Union joint general secretary Mary Bousted said the government needs to act to ensure that “well-qualified teachers are recruited” and retained.

She said ministers particularly need to improve their support for schools serving the most disadvantaged communities.