2nd July 2014 12:00
By Blue Tutors
A group of MPs has raised concerns over the education achievement of poor white children in England, after it was revealed that they are the lowest performing demographic in the country. Examining the attainment gap, the cross-party Education Select Committee noted that poor white children are already behind their peers when they reach school, and the gap continues to grow as they go through the school system. The MPs have said that white working class children would benefit from longer school days and higher-quality teachers. According to their report, the educational results of disadvantaged Black and Asian children have continued to improve, whilst the poorest white children are falling increasingly behind.
The report on the achievement of poor students shows that over 50% of poor Asian children, and over 40% of poor Black children achieve 5 good GCSES, whilst the figure of poor White children is around 30%. The education select committee has said that the problem needs to be acknowledged and addressed in schools, particularly those who are not highly rated by Ofsted. Poor students of all ethnic backgrounds perform better in schools rated as ‘outstanding’, with 50% of students eligible for free school meals achieving at least 5 good GCSES in these schools. This falls to 25% in schools with poor Ofsted ratings.
The education select committee has said that poor white children would benefit greatly from improved schools and longer school hours. It highlighted the need to find ways to recruit outstanding teachers into schools in poor, white communities, and argued that improved teaching is vital to the improvement of poor white children’s education. Further, they identified problems with a lack of support in the home, and said that allowing children to do homework at school would be of great benefit. Under the proposals, school hours would be extended so that children could complete their work with a teacher’s support.