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Select Committee · Education Committee

Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds

Status: Closed Opened: 17 Apr 2020 Closed: 11 Jan 2022 26 recommendations 15 conclusions 1 report

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 is measured, alongside a consideration … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The forgotten: how White working-class pupil… HC 85 22 Jun 2021 41 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

8 items
1 Conclusion First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

For our inquiry we decided for pragmatic reasons to focus on FSM-eligible pupils.

For our inquiry we decided for pragmatic reasons to focus on FSM-eligible pupils. This is an imperfect measure, but data on FSM-eligibility and attainment is available for multiple cohorts at many stages of education, giving a good idea of the journey that disadvantaged White pupils go on. We know that … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government recognises FSM as an imperfect measure of disadvantage and is continuously looking at FSM data, working with DWP for improvements, and considering commissioning new research on more sophisticated poverty measures.
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Department for Education
2 Conclusion First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

The Department’s current way of evaluating and funding disadvantage, relying on current and historical FSM-eligibility,...

The Department’s current way of evaluating and funding disadvantage, relying on current and historical FSM-eligibility, does not take account of the full range of challenges facing disadvantaged White pupils. It also makes external scrutiny of Government initiatives challenging. To understand what causes the underachievement of disadvantaged White pupils we need … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges FSM is an imperfect measure of disadvantage, stating they are continuously reviewing data and working with DWP, and will consider commissioning new research for more sophisticated poverty measures.
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Department for Education
4 Conclusion First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

Our inquiry has shown that poor White pupils are far from “privileged” in education.

Our inquiry has shown that poor White pupils are far from “privileged” in education.

Government response AI summary
The government explicitly agrees with the committee's finding that disadvantaged White pupils are not privileged in education and continue to lag behind, reaffirming its commitment to ensure every child has access to a great education.
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Department for Education
8 Recommendation First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

The Government must develop a more rounded view of what children need and what positive...

The Government must develop a more rounded view of what children need and what positive outcomes for children are as we recover from the pandemic. Specifically, with regard to mental health, we believe that the Department must fast-track its commitments under the 2018 Green Paper, particularly with regard to ensuring … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the priority of mental health, referencing existing commitments like the Mental Health Support Teams and significant funding. It states a review of evidence will inform future education recovery plans, but does not explicitly commit to fast-tracking green paper commitments or mandating specific …
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Department for Education
9 Conclusion First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

The Government has committed to ‘levelling up’, but there remain stark differences in educational outcomes...

The Government has committed to ‘levelling up’, but there remain stark differences in educational outcomes in different parts of the country, which seem likely to be exacerbated by the differential impact of covid-19. Education is a part of a larger whole with regard to geographic inequalities. Without improvements to local … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government details existing regional data breakdowns and commits to investigating where further regional breakdowns can be added. It also confirms its commitment to coordinating with wider government for the Levelling Up White Paper.
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Department for Education
24 Conclusion First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

There is an important role for civil society organisations, such as youth clubs and youth...

There is an important role for civil society organisations, such as youth clubs and youth services, working with schools and families to build social capital and provide positive role models for disadvantaged young White people. We were concerned to hear that funding pressures are having an impact on how well … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the committee's recognition of civil society's role and outlines ongoing efforts, including a Youth Review, a £10 million Youth Investment Fund, and the Character Education Grant, to ensure access to high-quality youth services and support positive youth development.
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Department for Education
25 Recommendation First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

The Department must ensure that schools have the capacity to build a triangle of support...

The Department must ensure that schools have the capacity to build a triangle of support for disadvantaged young people between schools, youth organisations and families, and consider introducing guidance for a designated extra-curricular co- ordinator in all schools. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the important role of support for disadvantaged young people, highlights existing initiatives like NCS and Character Education Grants, and notes that the DfE already recommends appointing a senior leader for character development. The Department will continue to review and update guidance.
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Department for Education
27 Recommendation First Report - The forgotten: how White… Acknowledged

Our report on adult skills highlighted the decline in support for adult learners.

Our report on adult skills highlighted the decline in support for adult learners. Evidence suggested to us that disadvantaged White parents may particularly struggle with their own levels of education, which may impact on their children’s learning. The Department must give more serious thought to how it may implement our … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of adult skills and supporting parents, highlighting new investments in further education, a Lifelong Loan Entitlement, and a £560m Multiply numeracy programme. However, it does not commit to ensuring a community learning centre in every town or introducing a …
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Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

8 sessions
Date Witnesses
19 May 2021 Dr Tony Sewell CBE · Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, Martyn Oliver · Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, Professor Steve Strand · University of Oxford View ↗
9 Feb 2021 Rt Hon. Nick Gibb MP · Department for Education, Vicky Ford MP · Department for Education View ↗
26 Jan 2021 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 View ↗
7 Jan 2021 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 View ↗
1 Dec 2020 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 View ↗
17 Nov 2020 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 View ↗
3 Nov 2020 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 View ↗
13 Oct 2020 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 View ↗

Who gave evidence

38 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Andrew Smith · Chief Executive Officer Learning Pathways Academy 1
Chris Millward · Director for Fair Access and Participation Office for Students 1
Claire Smith · Talk Halton Project Lead Halton Borough Council 1
Claire-Marie Cuthbert · Chief Executive Officer Evolve Trust 1
Clementine Stewart · Vice-Chair of Governors Langford Primary School 1
Dr Alex Gibson · Senior Research Fellow University of Plymouth 1
Dr Graeme Atherton · Director The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) 1
Dr Sam Baars · Director of Research and Operations The Centre for Education and Youth 1
Dr Tony Sewell CBE · Chair Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities 1
Dr. Javed Khan · Chief Executive Officer Barnardo’s 1
Ed Vainker · Chief Executive Officer Reach Academy 1
Edward Davies · Director of Policy Centre for Social Justice 1
Helena Mills CBE · Chief Executive Officer BMAT Education 1
Henri Murison · Director Northern Powerhouse Partnership 1
Jonathan Douglas · Chief Executive The National Literacy Trust 1
Karen Spencer MBE · Principal Harlow College 1
Katie Sullivan · ‘Get Active’ Youth Work Co-ordinator Regenerate UK 1
Liz Bayram · Chief Executive Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) 1
Louisa Reeves · Head of Impact and Evidence I CAN 1
Martyn Oliver · Commissioner Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities 1
Mary Curnock Cook OBE — 1
Matt Leach · Chief Executive Officer The Local Trust 1
Merle Davies · Director Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development 1
Miriam Jordan Keane · Chief Marketing and Sales Officer The National Citizen Service 1
Nick Hurn OBE · Chief Executive Officer Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust 1
Professor Becky Francis · Chief Executive Education Endowment Foundation 1
Professor Diane Reay · Emeritus Professor of Education University of Cambridge 1
Professor Lee Elliot Major · Professor of Social Mobility University of Exeter 1
Professor Liz Barnes · Vice Chancellor Staffordshire University 1
Professor Matthew Goodwin · Professor of Politics and International Relations University of Kent 1
Professor Steve Strand · Professor of Education University of Oxford 1
Rae Tooth · Chief Executive Villiers Park Educational Trust 1
Rt Hon. Nick Gibb MP · Minister of State for School Standards Department for Education 1
Ruth Robinson · Executive Principal Swindon and Nova Hreod Academies 1
Sammy Wright · Social Mobility Commissioner Social Mobility Commission 1
Sonia Shaljean · Managing Director Lads need Dads 1
Suzanne Wilson · Research Fellow in Social Inclusion and Community… University of Central Lancashire 1
Vicky Ford MP · Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Childr… Department for Education 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
23 Mar 2021 To cttee Letter from the Minster of State for School Standards on careers advice and the…