A veteran secondary school teacher has argued that Britain cannot close the education gap for white working-class pupils without confronting a difficult truth: schools cannot succeed where support at home is missing. The intervention comes after a government-backed inquiry called for sweeping reforms, warning the education system is failing a generation of children.

Inquiry Paints Stark Picture

The Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes found white working-class pupils fall behind from an early age, with lower attainment in English and maths, higher absence rates and weaker relationships with schools than many other groups.

Co-chair Baroness Estelle Morris said responsibility for reversing the trend could not rest with schools alone and rejected the idea that poor outcomes stem from a lack of ambition among young people.

Teacher Points to the Home Environment

Drawing on more than 20 years in state and independent schools, the teacher said parental engagement remains one of the strongest predictors of academic success. In their view, many struggling pupils inherit deep-rooted scepticism about education from parents whose own experiences left them disillusioned.

The teacher described repeated conversations with parents who dismissed poor performance as inevitable, arguing such attitudes can limit children's expectations long before they leave school.

Trust Gap Holding Pupils Back

The teacher contrasted those experiences with families who actively support schools, saying strong partnerships between parents and teachers often lead to better behaviour and stronger academic progress. Respect for education, they argued, can play a decisive role in helping pupils overcome setbacks.

The article also points to broader historical factors, including declining social mobility, the disappearance of grammar schools in many areas and a perception that education no longer guarantees a better future for many working-class families.

Reform Must Go Beyond the Classroom

While welcoming recommendations such as expanding apprenticeships, improving reading skills and providing free local transport for under-21s, the teacher argued policymakers are overlooking one critical issue.

They called for greater research into parental attitudes towards education across all communities, insisting lasting change will require rebuilding trust between families and schools. Without that third side of the triangle alongside teachers and pupils, they warned, even the most ambitious reforms risk falling short.

I’m a teacher – the real reason white working class kids perform so badly

I was also a teacher,

And the reason many white working class kids don't perform well in education is because it's pointless. The longer they spend in education, the more money they lose from not working, with little chance of ever recovering that lost money.

It's just not worthwhile.

Maybe 1 in a 1000 will benefit from education after age 16, but those odds ain't great.

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I was also a teacher,

And the reason many white working class kids don't perform well in education is because it's pointless. The longer they spend in education, the more money they lose from not working, with little chance of ever recovering that lost money.

It's just not worthwhile.

Maybe 1 in a 1000 will benefit from education after age 16, but those odds ain't great.

Better to become a plumber, loads of money.

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Maybe 1 in a 1000 will benefit from education after age 16, but those odds ain't great.

Did you leave school at age 16 and still become a teacher?

If so what did you do to subsequently qualify as a teacher?

PS; I assume by the word "teacher" that you are referring to being a Secondary School level teacher or above!

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I was also a teacher,

And the reason many white working class kids don't perform well in education is because it's pointless. The longer they spend in education, the more money they lose from not working, with little chance of ever recovering that lost money.

It's just not worthwhile.

Maybe 1 in a 1000 will benefit from education after age 16, but those odds ain't great.

Wot, this teacher's a right geezer, in'it. A regular jack-the-lad. A bit ov dis a bit of dat. Coo, he's right though in'it. We best quit school now and sell drugs on the corner in our hoodies. Oi, I'd make more dosh than me alcoholic ol' man!

Seriously though. Why on earth - as a teacher of all things - would you tell kids to drop out? You mean no white working class kids can become lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers? In a country with virtually free Uni?

Edited July 16Jul 16 by ronnie50

11 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Did you leave school at age 16 and still become a teacher?

If so what did you do to subsequently qualify as a teacher?

PS; I assume by the word "teacher" that you are referring to being a Secondary School level teacher or above!

2 years a levels

1 year college

4 years university

None of it was worth doing!

I would have earned more running my dad's building company. Plus 7 years wages I missed.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

2 years a levels

1 year college

4 years university

None of it was worth doing!

I would have earned more running my dad's building company. Plus 7 years wages I missed.

Maybe you chose the wrong profession?

37 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I was also a teacher,

And the reason many white working class kids don't perform well in education is because it's pointless. The longer they spend in education, the more money they lose from not working, with little chance of ever recovering that lost money.

It's just not worthwhile.

Maybe 1 in a 1000 will benefit from education after age 16, but those odds ain't great.

So why does that apply to white working class kids and not to the children of other demographics that do so well in education?

11 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Maybe you chose the wrong profession?

With that attitude he must have been a really non inspirational teacher and should have gone to "work" for his dad's company the minute he was legally able to leave school!

17 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

2 years a levels

1 year college

4 years university

None of it was worth doing!

I would have earned more running my dad's building company. Plus 7 years wages I missed.

Well there we have it, you’re extrapolating on the basis of your own failure.

A teacher that thinks education is a waste of time and money.

16 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

2 years a levels

1 year college

4 years university

None of it was worth doing!

I would have earned more running my dad's building company. Plus 7 years wages I missed.

So since you had a "shoe in" job at your dad's company why did you train to become a teacher?

Are you also saying that since only 1 in 1000 gain from education past 16 that nobody should stay at school and university and become teachers?

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well there we have it, you’re extrapolating on the basis of your own failure.

A teacher that thinks education is a waste of time and money.

It obviously was in his case!

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well there we have it, you’re extrapolating on the basis of your own failure.

A teacher that thinks education is a waste of time and money.

Education for the masses is a waste of time for most of the kids, but worthwhile for the government unemployment statistics.

As for my worth as a teacher, I specialised in the council estate schools that generally couldn't recruit and keep staff.

More of a prison officer than a teacher. I also worked in the off-site places where the violent and dangerous kids were relegated for occupational training, but still required a qualified teacher for insurance cover.

Most of the kids outside of school hours were great kids, just unsuited for school

Edited July 16Jul 16 by BritManToo

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Education for the masses is a waste of time for most of the kids, but worthwhile for the government unemployment statistics.

As for my worth as a teacher, I specialised in the council estate schools that generally couldn't recruit and keep staff.

More of a prison officer than a teacher.

Most of the kids outside of school hours were great kids, just unsuited for school

I understand you’re retired now.

You at least are no longer causing harm.

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

I understand you’re retired now.

You at least are no longer causing harm.

You wouldn't have lasted a day!

Like most lefties you know nothing about real life, and live for the opportunity to attack others.

You are scum!

Edited July 16Jul 16 by BritManToo

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You wouldn't have lasted a day!

Like most lefties you know nothing about real life, and live for the opportunity to attack others.

You are scum!

So it’s not just your students you held in disdain.

Here we have the British class system in all its bared teeth. What was the Monty Python sketch? I am better than you and you are better than them (or something like that).

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You wouldn't have lasted a day!

Like most lefties you know nothing about real life, and live for the opportunity to attack others.

You are scum!

How many of these kids come from single-mother households?

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So it’s not just your students you held in disdain.

Do you think making unprovoked personal attacks on other posters is uplifting, or does it just make make you leftie scum?

45 minutes ago, TedG said:

How many of these kids come from single-mother households?

A lot of the problem kids were great if encountered outside the school. I think they just didn't like being in school.

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Do you think making unprovoked personal attacks on other posters is uplifting, or does it just make make you leftie scum?

Says the guy resorting to the term ‘scum’.

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Do you think making unprovoked personal attacks on other posters is uplifting, or does it just make make you leftie scum?

How does it make you feel when you assume things about my life and the lives of others here?

Edited July 16Jul 16 by fredwiggy

Over 70% of those who graduate college are employed. Some aren't making as much money YET as they thought, but as time goes on, many will find better paying jobs when they open, as long as they're always seeking and not being complacent. Going into a trade also can work well, like plumbing or AC, electrical work, if that's your deal.

43 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

How does it make you feel when you assume things about my life and the lives of others here?

You're right, I was a bad person and a poor human being to have a go at you.

I completely and unreservedly apologise for any upset I caused you and will try to be a better person in the future.

But

1 Can't think of any others

and

2 I've never pretended to be a decent or good human being

47 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Over 70% of those who graduate college are employed. Some aren't making as much money YET as they thought, but as time goes on, many will find better paying jobs when they open, as long as they're always seeking and not being complacent. Going into a trade also can work well, like plumbing or AC, electrical work, if that's your deal.

The US needs programs where when a boy is 16 he decides on either the college route or an apprenticeship program.

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The US needs programs where when a boy is 16 he decides on either the college route or an apprenticeship program.

It would help if the government helped more on school loans and placements to those who are actually wanting to further their education and work.

18 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

It would help if the government helped more on school loans and placements to those who are actually wanting to further their education and work.

When a kid is 16 the parents should be honest about their kid's potential. Problem is most don't want to do laborous jobs.

Right now after a 4 yr maritime college, starting pay is 120-150K/yr. And the maritime industry is short handed.

For someone like me who grew up in gentle little NZ and then spent his working life in super-egalitarian Oz, all this discussion is both appalling & laughable.

All based on the - even today - almost rigid class distinctions of Britain. Appalling that this still rules people's lives in the C21st.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by mfd101

Sounds like the teacher despises the white working classes. An opinion widely held by largely leftist, middle class teachers. "How can you expect me to educate your poor, white, chavvy kids".

If I had to listen to some of the Woke nonsense they try to brainwash kids with in schools today I'd probably bunk off as well.

Do white kids have to sit at the back of the class now due to DEI, or white privilege, or whatever?