ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses specifically on a study which undertakes in the south Wales valleys to explore the importance of place and belonging and how it shapes children’s learning experiences in an underprivileged area. It argues that the effects of poverty and disadvantage are multidimensional and impact upon a variety of different indicators, including children’s health, development and learning. The chapter also argues that there is no clear, straightforward link between poverty, disadvantage and attainment as children’s experiences are shaped by the environment in which they grow up. Poverty affects all areas of a child’s life, including: physical health; the home environment; emotional and behavioural outcomes; and cognitive ability, with children living below the poverty threshold 1.3 times more likely to experience developmental delay and learning disabilities. Research indicates that poverty and disadvantage affect far more than attainment, and shape children’s experiences both within and outside of school.
