Fitzsimons KJ, et al. - Researchers explored the variations in academic achievement between 5-year-old children with an isolated oral cleft and the general population. These differences were examined by cleft type. Substantially poorer academic achievement across all areas of learning was revealed among 5-year-old children with an isolated oral cleft, especially those involving the palate compared with the national average. Such outcomes reflected results of modern surgical techniques and multidisciplinary approach. Children with a cleft could gain an advantage from extra academic support when starting school.