The education debate can sometimes treat attendance, SEND and low attainment as distinct policy problems, with their separate funding streams, official guidance, public consultations and statistical releases. But our new research, co-published with the Education Endowment Foundation, suggests that these are all-important and most likely inter-related contributions to the accumulation of disadvantage through childhood and into adolescence. Using linked administrative data, we can unpick the most important contributors to the disadvantage gap in attainment and show how these evolve as children progress in their education. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week subscribe Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits.