An independent inquiry has concluded that the education system is 'not set up to serve white working-class children and families', prompting Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to call for support that goes 'beyond the school gate'.
Inquiry findings reveal stark disadvantage gap
The Independent Inquiry into White Working-Class Educational Outcomes, published on Monday, found that only 36% of white British pupils on free school meals achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths GCSE last year, compared with 72% of pupils not receiving free lunches. The report described this as 'the white working-class disadvantage gap'.
The inquiry, launched last summer, investigated why white working-class children are the lowest-performing large demographic in England's school system. Its co-chairs, Baroness Estelle Morris and Sir Hamid Patel, made 24 recommendations, including improved mental health support, restrictions on smartphone use in schools, and extending 30 hours of free childcare to all disadvantaged families not currently eligible.
Phillipson acknowledges generational challenge
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Phillipson said Britain faces a 'big, big, big generational challenge' in turning around outcomes for poor white children. She noted that ministers are already acting on issues like attendance, expanding early years education, and rolling out Sure Start-style support centres known as Best Start Family Hubs. However, she admitted more change is needed, both within schools and in the wider community.
Phillipson emphasised that this is not about shifting blame onto teachers or parents. 'This is about all of us across society taking action, and yes, that means supporting parents as well, whether that's around attendance, on child poverty, on making sure they've got access to good quality advice, health support, and much more,' she said.
Headteacher criticises system's focus on academic outcomes
Headteacher Amy Sparkes, from Ward Jackson Church of England Primary School in Hartlepool, told BBC Radio 4 that schools are too focused on academic outcomes. 'I'm really pleased that the report remarks that this is not a lack of aspiration from families and pupils, because it isn't,' she said. 'There is absolutely a disconnect in what the education system, not individual schools, but the education system can offer all children from working class backgrounds.'
Sparkes questioned why a pass in maths and English GCSE had become the 'absolute basic' requirement to enter the workplace. She added: 'I think that we've really, as a society, moved too far in that direction, and by the time that those children have got to GCSE age, they've become disengaged with a system that's not welcoming, it's not meeting them where they are, it's expecting them to change to the system, which is just not really what education should be.'
Recommendations for reform
Beyond mental health and smartphone restrictions, the inquiry recommends making reading fluency a national priority in primary schools and introducing free access to local public transport for all young people aged 21 and under. It also calls for a massive expansion in apprenticeship opportunities in white working-class communities and improvements in how the system defines and prioritises white working-class educational outcomes.
