Society needs to act to help white working-class pupils, inquiry says
Summary
A UK inquiry is beginning a new phase focused on improving education outcomes for white working-class children, including early-years support and routes for 14- to 19-year-olds. Its co-chair says schools alone cannot address the barriers, while the education secretary has backed the inquiry’s work to develop practical recommendations.Key Facts
- The inquiry was commissioned by multi-academy trust Star Academies and is supported by the Department for Education.
- Its first report said the education system was not serving the interests of white working-class children and called for major reforms.
- The inquiry examined data on 1.25 million white British pupils in England who receive free school meals.
- The inquiry said its data may understate disadvantage because it did not include all low-income families who were not receiving free school meals.
- The next phase will study early education, the move from primary to secondary school, and education and career pathways for teenagers aged 14 to 19.
- The inquiry plans to develop recommendations for government, schools, colleges and other organisations working with white working-class communities.
- The article says nearly one million young people are classed as not in education, employment or training.
- An interim report found children who are not ready for school at age four or five are nearly three times as likely to be not in education, employment or training at ages 16 to 17.
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