Simple terms explainer: 

Councils must make sure all children and young people have fair chances to succeed in education, no matter their background. This means they must actively work to close gaps in things like school achievement, attendance, and access to learning that are often caused by poverty or other disadvantages. The goal is to make sure every learner—whether they live in a low-income area, have additional support needs, or face other challenges—gets the support they need to do well in school and beyond. Councils must consider these issues when making decisions about schools, budgets, and services, and show how they’re helping to create a more equal education system.