White boys 'are being left behind' by education system

Last updated at 10:35 22 June 2007


Two-thirds of pupils classified as low achievers are boys, research has revealed.

And white boys are being particularly badly failed by the education system, according to a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

White British pupils make up more than three-quarters of those who leave school with few or no qualifications, and are more likely to be low achievers than ethnic minority pupils from families with similar incomes.

The research team said underperformance by white pupils - and boys in particular - was a "big and ignored" problem.

Afro-Caribbean students are also under-achieving - but they have been improving faster than the national average. Also, they do no worse than white British pupils in similar financial circumstances.

Chinese and Indian pupils are least likely to be classed as low achievers.

Research earlier this year from Manchester University found money was being targeted at pupils with English as an additional language.

But pupils who do not speak English at home only find this a short-term handicap, according to the Rowntree researchers.

"White learners from highly disadvantaged backgrounds were reportedly often overlooked," the Manchester University report said.

One local authority officer told researchers that "white poverty and underachievement aren't as headline-grabbing or sexy".

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Boosting achievement for low-achieving groups is at the heart of our education reforms."

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