An independent inquiry into why England's schools are failing white working class pupils has launched its next stage, calling for action from across society to turn its findings into lasting change.
The inquiry, which published its initial findings in the summer, found that once-in-a-generation reforms were required to tackle the problem. Around 1.25 million white British pupils eligible for free school meals experience some of the weakest academic outcomes in the country, leaving them as the lowest-performing major demographic in England.
Why 1.25 million children are falling behind
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: "A child's background should never mean opportunity belongs to someone else. But right now, too many white working class children are falling behind at every stage of their education."
Powell added: "That is why I am backing this independent inquiry to get to the heart of the barriers holding children back – from their first steps into school, through to the opportunities and choices they have as teenagers into further study, training or work."
Statistics show that 48% of white working class children reach a good level of development by age five, compared with 75% of white British children not on free school meals.
Tackling the NEET crisis
The inquiry will focus on early intervention in primary schools to give children a stronger start, alongside their paths through education and work. The school-to-work pipeline is under particular focus, as the number of young people not in education, employment or training, classified as Neets, remains just under one million.
Sir Hamid Patel, who co-chairs the inquiry alongside former Education Secretary Baroness Estelle Morris, said the probe marks "the beginning of a sustained effort to improve outcomes for white working class young people".
He added: "We will undertake further large-scale research into the parts of the system where we need to understand more, while building a national network of organisations committed not just to advocating for change, but to putting it into practice."
Action beyond the school gates
Baroness Morris said the report in June highlighted the extent of the challenge white working class children face in school – and the consequences of failing to do anything about it.
She said: "We can't stop there. Our next phase of work will be led by experts in the field and will consider what needs to be done."
Morris added: "This isn't just the responsibility of schools but calls for action from across society. The partnerships we will bring together can play a powerful role in beginning this work."
The inquiry will now begin working with education organisations to put its recommendations into practice.
