White working-class boys remain the “forgotten demographic” in schooling, five years on from a landmark report that found they were being failed in the education system.
On the anniversary of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report’s release, the chair of the paper, Lord Sewell, warned that “our warnings were not listened to”.
“Five years ago, we were told by the woke left and liberal right that the evidence on class and family was uncomfortable,” the peer said.
“Since then, this evidence has only hardened.”
Among white British boys receiving free school meals, just 36 per cent achieved the expected standard in GCSE maths and English during the previous academic year.
This figure stands in sharp contrast to the national average of 65 per cent across all students.
Pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds on free school meals significantly outperform their white British counterparts.
Chinese boys eligible for free meals achieved an 82 per cent pass rate, whilst Bangladeshi boys reached 68 per cent.
White working-class boys are still behind in education, five years on from a report warning of the failings
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Black African boys on free school meals attained 58 per cent, and Black Caribbean boys recorded 39 per cent — still higher than white British boys from similar economic circumstances.
The Centre for Social Justice argues that family structure plays a "woefully underappreciated" role in determining children's prospects.
Official data examined by researchers shows just 20 per cent of disadvantaged white children currently reside with married parents.
By comparison, nearly 60 per cent of poor children from non-white households live in two-parent married families.
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Lord Sewell has said that his 'warnings were not listened to'
| UK GOVERNMENTThe think tank maintains that growing up in a stable household with both parents predicts positive outcomes more reliably than characteristics such as ethnicity or sexuality that frequently dominate equality debates.
Boys are struggling throughout the education system, according to the CSJ's Lost Boys report. They account for 83 per cent of permanent school exclusions and experience higher rates of becoming NEET.
White working-class boys on free school meals are among those least likely to continue their education beyond age 16.
Lord Sewell is expected to address these findings at a Westminster event on Tuesday, stating: “Our report set out clearly that racism still persists, and we should confront it wherever it is found.
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He will also argue that “the main drivers of unequal outcomes are class, geography and family stability, not race alone."
Lord Sewell will deliver his remarks at the Westminster panel event marking half a decade since his Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities published its findings.
Mercy Muroki, former commissioner and CSJ development director, said: "Family stability, class, and aspiration matter far more for children's life chances than many of the issues that dominated identity politics culture wars in 2020."
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has previously described outcomes for white working-class pupils as a "national disgrace".
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has previously described outcomes for white working-class pupils as a 'national disgrace'
| HOUSE OF COMMONSThe original 2021 report identified white working-class boys as being "left behind" in the education system.
Five years later, this group remains among England's worst-performing pupils. Lord Sewell is expected to declare: "White working-class boys from the poorest homes are still stuck at the bottom of the class.
"Our warnings were not listened to."
He will also urge policymakers: "If we are serious about opportunity, we have to stop arguing about language and start delivering change in the places that need it most."
The CSJ is calling for renewed emphasis on family policy and directing superior teaching resources towards the lowest-performing boys.
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