White working-class children failed by education system, says inquiry

A recent inquiry has concluded that the education system is failing white working-class children, a belief increasingly held by families who feel the current structure does not guarantee future success. Baroness Morris, former education secretary, stated that no initiatives over the past three decades have significantly boosted the performance of these students.

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none of the initiatives rolled out in the past 30 years had significantly or sustainably boosted the performance of white working-class children in school.

There is a notable disconnect between the career aspirations of these children and their parents and what schools can provide. While the system often pushes academic routes to higher education, many families value the social aspects of school and desire more high-quality vocational options, such as local apprenticeships.

The inquiry proposes sweeping changes, including enhanced early years support, better mental health services, and restrictions on smartphone use in schools. It outlines 24 recommendations, such as free public transport for individuals up to 21, extended free childcare for disadvantaged families, and prioritizing reading fluency for white working-class children in primary school. A major expansion of apprenticeships is also recommended to ensure local access to quality programs for all interested young people.

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There was a disconnect between what the children and their parents want in terms of careers and what their schools can offer them.

The transition to secondary education is identified as a critical point where students may disengage. Stephen, 16, shared that a more vocational approach might have kept him in school. He believes practical work would be more beneficial than written assignments for students who struggle with traditional schooling, enabling them to learn useful skills. With support from the charity Spear, he is now pursuing his barbering dream and starting a college course.

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The task is not to change these communities, but to build an education system that better recognises, values and builds upon the strengths already within them.

Baroness Morris emphasized that the inquiry's findings should not be used to change these communities but to build an education system that recognizes and values their existing strengths. She also noted that some proposed changes for this group could benefit all children.

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I feel like schools need to engage in more practical work because, at least for me, the written work didn't work. So if they engaged in more practical work, that would help people who couldn't really complete school because it would help them learn actual skills that are useful for them.