The Education Committee is to investigate the issues faced by
disadvantaged groups, with an initial
inquiry into the underachievement of white pupils from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Committee’s call for written evidence will run alongside the
continuing work on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the
education system and the implications for the most vulnerable in
society.
This is an initial step in a series of inquiries that the
Committee will undertake on the issues faced by disadvantaged and
left behind groups and how they can best be supported. This work
will be all the more important given that these groups are likely
to be disproportionately impacted by the implications of COVID-19
on education and children’s services.
In addition to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the inquiry
will focus on the reasons behind the differences in attainment
and the impact this has on society. It will also look at what the
priorities should be for tackling underachievement.
The Department for Education’s 2018 GCSE performance statistics
show that while the national average Attainment 8 score is 46.5,
white boys who are eligible for free school meals score an
average of just 28.5.
The inquiry fits into the Committee’s theme of supporting
disadvantaged groups and the ladder of opportunity.
Rt Hon , Chair of the Education
Committee, said: “Everyone’s current focus is
rightly on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and how we
adapt to the challenging new circumstances faced by our dedicated
learners of all ages and hardworking teachers and staff.
The outbreak will have a particularly heavy bearing on those
from disadvantaged groups. It is therefore vital that we continue
to work to ensure they are properly supported and remain
absolutely determined that this unprecedented national crisis
does not set back efforts in tackling the social injustices faced
by too many groups.
There is a worrying trend of white pupils from poorer
backgrounds underperforming compared with their peers. Such gaps
in learning seriously limit young people’s potential to get on in
life and more must be done to tackle this very real social
injustice.
While our initial focus is on white working class pupils, we
will not forget other disadvantaged groups and the Committee will
be looking across the board at those being left behind. At this
difficult time for families, everything possible must be done to
ensure the most disadvantaged children do not fall off the
education ladder of opportunity completely.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is inviting
submissions on the following questions:
1. The
extent of underachievement for white pupils who are eligible for
FSM (free school meals), and how well the DfE’s statistics
(including Progress 8 measures) capture that
2. The
variation within the cohort of white pupils who are eligible for
FSM (including regional variation, and variation between the five
specific ethnic groups that sit under the broad ‘White’
category), and how well the DfE’s statistics capture
that
3. The
principal factors that contribute to this underachievement, with
reference to:
a. The
availability and quality of early years
provision
b. The
role of place (reflecting regional variations)
c. The
home learning environment
d. The
impact of role models
4. The
effects of COVID-19 on this group
5. The
impacts of this underachievement, both for individuals and for
communities
6. Priorities
for the Government in terms of tackling this issue, with
reference to:
a. The
value of locally-tailored solutions, including youth
groups and community organisations
b. The
school system
The deadline for submissions Friday 5th June.
The Committee last month launched an
inquiry on the impacts of COVID-19 on education and children’s
services.
ENDS
Committee Membership: Rt Hon
Robert Halfon MP (Con, Harlow), (Lab, Putney), (Lab, Poplar and
Limehouse), (Con, Stoke on Trent
North), (Con, Ipswich), (Con, Sleaford and
North Hykeham), (Con, Wantage),
(Lab, Gateshead), (Lab, Manchester
Central), (Con, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) Chris Wakeford MP
(Con, Bury South)
