GB News
White working-class pupils are twice as likely to be absent from school compared to the average pupil, according to newly released statistics. According to the Independent Inquiry into White Working-Class Educational Outcomes, pupils are missing seven per cent of school lessons on average, compared to 13 per cent for white working-class pupils. The same demographic is also two and a half times more likely to demonstrate severe, repeat absences, meaning they’re missing more than 50 per cent of their schooling. The inquiry also found white working-class pupils are much more likely to have special educational needs, with 34 per cent under SEND, compared to just 19 per cent for other groups. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The data forms part of a broader report into the attainment gap between white working-class pupils and their peers, which is due to be released in full at the end of this month. Lindsay Macmillan, Professor of Economics at University College London and the founding director of the Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, said ministers should consider improving early years education. She denied it was impossible to totally level the playing field but accepted it would be tough. Professor Macmillan said: "You've got to start somewhere, and diagnosing the problem so clearly across the system is a really important start." She described the transition from primary school to secondary school as a "key area" where white working-class boys become disengaged with education, and said the government must also improve post-16 pathways. "There needs to be a "clear line of sight from the education system to the labour market", the professor added, citing a failing of support in the equity based approach to the education system. White working-class boys remain the “forgotten demographic” in schooling overall, even 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”. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Manchester school in lockdown with pupil arrested after three people injured in suspected stabbing Half of graduates earn less than average wage five years after leaving university, new report finds Museum slaps trigger warning on beloved children’s book for 'outdated views' The peer said: “Five years ago, we were told by the woke left and liberal right that the evidence on class and family was uncomfortable. 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 2024/25 academic year. This figure stands in sharp contrast to the national average of 65 per cent across all students. Asked how she could support white working-class boys, Education Secretary Phillipson said the numbers show it's a "necessary task". "It is right that we set out the challenge and the data is really clear that white working-class kids get amongst the worst outcomes in the education system. "That's not to say there aren't other disparities, and we absolutely will tackle those too. One of the biggest indicators is obviously class background and the amount of money that your family has. "That's why tackling child poverty is such a big priority for this government." The Government has announced plans for Mission North East to help working-class youth in the region, however exactly how it will achieve its aims is yet to be determined. The Education Secretary added: "We will be doing a kind of formal launch of it and setting out further plans on it. "But I think I do have to be honest in saying that we do have some big ideas about things we want to do to make this work better. "But if we had all the answers, we would have solved it by now." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Go to News Site
The Independent 
Ruptly 
Liverpool Echo 
The Mirror 
