Findings of inquiry that found education system ‘is not set up to serve white working class children’ will bring ‘lasting change’

An independent inquiry has begun a second phase focused on putting its recommendations into practice, after finding that England’s education system does not adequately serve white working class children. Its co-chair says the work aims to turn research into lasting change, addressing weak educational outcomes and barriers that can affect young people’s routes into further study, training and work.

The inquiry reported in June that 1.25 million white British pupils in England eligible for free school meals have some of the weakest outcomes across education stages. It called for major reforms, and will now conduct further research while working with education organisations on stronger primary school starts and pathways beyond school. Education Secretary Lucy Powell has backed the inquiry; the article also notes that the number of young people not in education, employment or training is just under one million.