Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds

Education Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 17 Apr 2020 Closed: 11 Jan 2022 Parliament page
The Education Committee is to investigate the issues faced by disadvantaged groups, with an initial inquiry into the educational underachievement of white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds including white working class pupils. This inquiry will examine the extent of the achievement gap between this group and their peers and how it … Read more
26 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
1 Letter
8 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
4 Nov
2021
Report published
22 Jun
2021
Report published
19 May
2021
Oral evidence
23 Mar
2021
Correspondence
9 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
26 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
7 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
1 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
17 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
3 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
13 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
19 May 2021
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds
Dr Tony Sewell CBE · Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Martyn Oliver · Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Professor Steve Strand · University of Oxford
9 Feb 2021
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds; Accountability hearing
Rt Hon. Nick Gibb MP · Department for Education Vicky Ford MP · Department for Education
26 Jan 2021
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds
Claire Smith · Halton Borough Council Dr. Javed Khan · Barnardo’s Louisa Reeves · I CAN Merle Davies · Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development Sonia Shaljean · Lads need Dads
7 Jan 2021
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Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
Chris Millward · Office for Students Dr Graeme Atherton · The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Karen Spencer MBE · Harlow College Professor Liz Barnes · Staffordshire University Rae Tooth · Villiers Park Educational Trust
1 Dec 2020
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds
Edward Davies · Centre for Social Justice Katie Sullivan · Regenerate UK Matt Leach · The Local Trust Miriam Jordan Keane · The National Citizen Service Suzanne Wilson · University of Central Lancashire
17 Nov 2020
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds - Round table
Andrew Smith · Learning Pathways Academy Claire-Marie Cuthbert · Evolve Trust Clementine Stewart · Langford Primary School Helena Mills CBE · BMAT Education Nick Hurn OBE · Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust Ruth Robinson · Swindon and Nova Hreod Academies
3 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Dr Alex Gibson · University of Plymouth Ed Vainker · Reach Academy Henri Murison · Northern Powerhouse Partnership Jonathan Douglas · The National Literacy Trust Liz Bayram · Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) Sammy Wright · Social Mobility Commission
13 Oct 2020
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Left behind white pupils from disadvataged backgrounds
Dr Sam Baars · The Centre for Education and Youth Mary Curnock Cook OBE Professor Becky Francis · Education Endowment Foundation Professor Diane Reay · University of Cambridge Professor Lee Elliot Major · University of Exeter Professor Matthew Goodwin · University of Kent
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The forgotten: how White working-class pupils hav… HC 85 22 Jun 2021 41 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Schools should consider whether the promotion of politically controversial terminology, including White Privilege, is consistent...
Schools should consider whether the promotion of politically controversial terminology, including White Privilege, is consistent with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. The Department should take steps to ensure that young people are not inadvertently being inducted into political … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms that schools must not promote partisan political views, including contested theories like 'white privilege,' as fact. It states it has already begun developing guidance for schools to help them teach complex political issues in a balanced, impartial, and age-appropriate way.
Department for Education
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7 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Schools have an important role in how well disadvantaged White children recover from the pandemic.
Schools have an important role in how well disadvantaged White children recover from the pandemic. This relates to academic progress, emotional development, and good mental health. This is as true for disadvantaged White pupils as it is for other groups, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the priority of mental health and wellbeing, detailing ongoing and committed initiatives such as the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams, senior mental health lead training, various funding streams, and an ambitious education recovery plan.
Department for Education
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13 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
The free school system has failed to place new schools in areas of highest need...
The free school system has failed to place new schools in areas of highest need and so has failed to reach left behind pupils, and should be encouraged in areas of disadvantage or deprivation.
Government Response
The government strongly agrees that free schools are important for raising standards in disadvantaged communities. It highlights past and ongoing efforts to direct free schools to areas of high deprivation and commits to continuing to support and prioritise growth in areas of greatest need.
Department for Education
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14 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
The Department must take a more proactive role in directing the evolution of free schools.
The Department must take a more proactive role in directing the evolution of free schools. It is not enough to suppose that disadvantaged White communities in left- behind areas will have the same resources as inner-city areas to create their … Read more
Government Response
The government states it already takes a proactive role in directing new free schools to areas of high deprivation, including those with underperforming White working-class pupils, and will continue to prioritise applications focused on raising attainment for disadvantaged pupils.
Department for Education
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17 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
High-quality, joined-up education and health support for disadvantaged White families in the early years of...
High-quality, joined-up education and health support for disadvantaged White families in the early years of their child’s life is crucial and has demonstrable benefits. The Family Hub model is ideally placed to deliver continuity of support and care, helping disadvantaged … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the importance of joined-up support via Family Hubs, committing over £500 million to the Start for Life offer, establishing a new cross-government unit, and providing funding for 75 areas to open or expand Family Hubs.
Department for Education
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18 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
However, there are areas of the country, including those serving disadvantaged White communities, where families...
However, there are areas of the country, including those serving disadvantaged White communities, where families do not have this support. The Government’s work on the National Centre, and investment of £14 million is positive, but children need this support now. Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing over £500m to the Start for Life offer, establishing a new Start for Life Unit, and funding 75 areas to open or expand Family Hubs to provide accessible support services.
Department for Education
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20 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
All Family Hubs must have a clear strategy for the early years, with the aim...
All Family Hubs must have a clear strategy for the early years, with the aim of bringing services, including health visitors and early years educators, together into one place to make it easier for disadvantaged White families to navigate the … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts these recommendations, committing over £500m to the Start for Life offer, championing Family Hubs, and funding 75 areas to open or expand them. It also highlights the cross-government Start for Life Unit and the National Centre for Family Hubs which will explore a 'key contact' for families and support local authorities.
Department for Education
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21 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
We know that parents who are willing and able to engage with their children’s education...
We know that parents who are willing and able to engage with their children’s education have a positive influence on it. But we must not assume that all parents have the knowledge and skills to do so. We also know … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the underlying premise of the conclusion, stating it is investing over £500m in the Start for Life offer, championing Family Hubs, and funding 75 areas to establish or expand these hubs to provide joined-up support.
Department for Education
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22 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Schools are well placed to be trusted institutions that can support and work with Family...
Schools are well placed to be trusted institutions that can support and work with Family Hubs to build strong relationships and help disadvantaged White parents 60 The forgotten: how White working-class pupils have been let down, and how to change … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and states that the National Centre for Family Hubs will work with local authorities to help establish relationships with various community organisations, including schools, to ensure Family Hubs are well-integrated and accessible.
Department for Education
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26 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Given the number of disadvantaged White pupils leaving education every year without a strong pass...
Given the number of disadvantaged White pupils leaving education every year without a strong pass in English and Maths GCSE, it seems that the impact of parental lack of confidence in learning will continue. Helping disadvantaged White parents with their … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of parental support and commits an additional £3.8 billion to further education and skills, including a new £560 million Multiply program for adult numeracy, to improve adult skills, including for disadvantaged White parents.
Department for Education
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28 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Good teachers who understand disadvantaged White students’ needs and who can be good role models...
Good teachers who understand disadvantaged White students’ needs and who can be good role models are central to raising this group’s outcomes. We know that teaching quality is worse in disadvantaged areas than in wealthier areas, with schools less likely … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights increased school funding and Pupil Premium, and new requirements for schools to use Pupil Premium on evidence-based approaches and publish spending rationale, demonstrating existing actions to support disadvantaged pupils.
Department for Education
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30 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
School funding has failed to keep pace with where deprivation is in the country, and...
School funding has failed to keep pace with where deprivation is in the country, and as a result schools serving disadvantaged communities, including disadvantaged White communities, have suffered financially. The National Funding Formula promises to correct this, but the formula’s … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights significant increases in overall school funding and Pupil Premium, asserting that this constitutes the 'biggest funding boost for schools in a decade.' It also outlines amendments to Pupil Premium conditions to ensure evidence-based spending and transparency, addressing concerns about funding effectiveness.
Department for Education
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31 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Additional funding for disadvantaged students, including disadvantaged White students, is welcome, but is insufficient and...
Additional funding for disadvantaged students, including disadvantaged White students, is welcome, but is insufficient and insufficiently targeted and does not always reflect true level of need. This seems to have extended to the Government’s “catch-up” funding, with insufficiently targeted formulas … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights significant increases in overall school funding and Pupil Premium, asserting that this addresses concerns about funding levels. It also outlines amendments to Pupil Premium conditions to require evidence-based spending and transparency, aiming to improve targeting and effectiveness.
Department for Education
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34 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
We support the Department’s insistence that all children should benefit from an ambitious and challenging...
We support the Department’s insistence that all children should benefit from an ambitious and challenging curriculum. A culture of low expectations is damaging for White working-class children. However, too many disadvantaged White pupils are leaving school without essential qualifications, and … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its existing policy that all state-funded schools must offer a knowledge-rich curriculum, asserting that this approach raises standards and benefits disadvantaged pupils by providing essential knowledge, rather than proposing new changes.
Department for Education
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36 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Level 2 apprenticeships are a vital stepping-stone for disadvantaged learners.
Level 2 apprenticeships are a vital stepping-stone for disadvantaged learners. The Department must investigate and address the falling numbers of apprenticeship starts from deprived communities, to ensure disadvantaged White pupils have equal access to the opportunities offered by skills-based routes. … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of apprenticeships and states it monitors participation from deprived communities. It highlights existing support for SMEs, progression routes, £7 million for flexi-job apprenticeships, and £1,000 payments for young apprentices, but does not commit to rebalancing the levy or introducing skills tax credits.
Department for Education
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39 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
Accessing higher education is the “end of the funnel” for many pupils’ academic journeys.
Accessing higher education is the “end of the funnel” for many pupils’ academic journeys. Evidence suggests that for disadvantaged White pupils the funnel narrows dramatically on leaving school. These statistics represent the outcome of accumulated educational disadvantage starting in early … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of social mobility for White working-class students and confirms it has already directed the OfS to focus on this group in its strategic priorities, including strengthening guidance to providers on increasing access.
Department for Education
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41 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - The forgotten: how …
The OfS should also commit to a report to Parliament in a year’s time to...
The OfS should also commit to a report to Parliament in a year’s time to review progress against this measure and their targets and the Secretary of State’s request for a focus on disadvantaged White boys accessing higher education. The … Read more
Government Response
The government states the OfS already produces annual reports and monitors demographic trends. It confirms the OfS keeps its definition of 'under-represented groups' under review and will deploy its new ABCs measure to enable closer targeting of White working-class students.
Department for Education
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Government Response AI assessment · 41 of 26 classified
Accepted 17
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 6
Rejected 1
Total 26 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
23 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Minster of State for School Standards on careers advice and the pupil premium, dated 15 March 2021
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