New research has revealed that high-ability children from low-income backgrounds in the UK start to lag behind their wealthier peers at school between the ages of 11 and 14. The study, which followed high-ability children from both low and high-income groups from the age of five, showed that they progressed at similar rates until the early years of secondary school. However, it was during this critical three-year period that children from low-income families began to fall behind their wealthier counterparts. This finding highlights the importance of addressing educational inequalities and providing support to ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.