Key facts
- An independent inquiry concluded that England's education system is failing white working-class children.
- White working-class children are identified as the lowest-performing demographic in England's school system.
- The inquiry found these children are about half as likely as their less disadvantaged peers to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English.
- The report proposes 24 recommendations, including prioritizing reading fluency, expanding apprenticeships, and extending free childcare.
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated the government will prioritize support for these children and families.
An independent inquiry has concluded that England's education system is failing white working-class children, who are identified as the lowest-performing demographic. The report, commissioned by a schools academy trust and backed by the Department for Education (DfE), calls for once-in-a-generation changes to address the issue.
The inquiry found that white working-class children are about half as likely as their less disadvantaged peers to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English. Based on statistics for white students receiving free school meals, 36% of this cohort achieved this benchmark in 2025, compared to an average of 72% for all pupils not receiving free school meals.
Co-chaired by former Labour education secretary Estelle Morris and Star Academies CEO Hamid Patel, the report stated that the poorer performance cannot be explained by low aspiration or lack of effort. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the findings, highlighting issues with school attendance and children arriving at school not ready to learn. She emphasized that solutions must extend beyond schools to include family support.
The report's recommendations include prioritizing reading fluency in primary schools, expanding apprenticeships, providing free local public transport for young people up to age 21, and extending free childcare to all disadvantaged families. It also calls for more early-years support, improved mental health services, and restrictions on smartphone use in schools.