Commenting on the report of the House of Commons Education
Committee which finds that white working-class pupils have been
let down by decades of neglect, Geoff Barton, General Secretary
of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
“We have to do better for all disadvantaged pupils – from all
ethnic backgrounds – and this report is right to highlight the
factors beyond the school gates which affect educational
attainment. Many communities suffer from multigenerational
poverty, insecure employment and lack of opportunity, and it is
extremely hard to raise attainment when children and families
experience such factors.
“Education has the power to transform lives but it must be
supported by wider social policies. We welcome the recommendation
of a strong network of family hubs to offer integrated services,
but the government must go further and do much more to address
the scourge of child poverty in general which continues to shame
our nation.
“We also welcome the general direction of the proposals for
reforming the education system by looking at how the pupil
premium might provide more support, how more teachers could be
attracted to challenging areas, and boosting vocational training.
Clearly, there would need to be more detailed discussion about
these recommendations to take them forward.
“We’re not quite sure why the committee has chosen to enter the
debate about the widely discredited report from the Commission on
Race and Ethnic Disparities, and the term ‘white privilege’. This
does not seem helpful and is likely to divert attention from the
rest of the report. Schools are well aware of their
responsibilities and do a very good job in providing
opportunities for discussion around issues in a sensitive,
balanced and measured way.”
