Inquiry into white working-class education outcomes enters second phase

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 10:54 · Archive

An independent inquiry has launched its second phase to implement recommendations from findings that the education system fails white working-class children.

An independent inquiry into white working-class educational outcomes has launched its second phase on Monday, moving from research into implementation. The investigation found in June that 1.25 million white British pupils eligible for free school meals in England experience some of the weakest outcomes in the country across all stages of education. The inquiry concluded that white working-class children remain the lowest-performing large demographic in England's school system, requiring once-in-a-generation reforms.

The second phase will combine research with direct work inside education organisations to put the inquiry's recommendations into practice. The investigation will examine how to give children a stronger start in primary school and trace their routes through education and into the world of work.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was backing the independent inquiry, stating that 'a child's background should never mean opportunity belongs to someone else'. She added: 'right now, too many white working class children are falling behind at every stage of their education'. Powell said the inquiry would identify barriers 'from their first steps into school, through to the opportunities and choices they have as teenagers into further study, training or work'.

Baronesa Estelle Morris, a co-chair of the inquiry, said the initial findings had highlighted the extent of the challenge white working-class children face in school. 'This isn't just the responsibility of schools but calls for action from across society,' Morris said. Sir Hamid Patel, the other co-chair, described the probe, commissioned in summer 2025, as 'the beginning of a sustained effort to improve outcomes for white working class young people'.

The inquiry's focus comes as the number of young people not in education, employment or training, known as Neets, remains just under one million.

How it is being reported

• White working-class children promised 'lasting change' by major inquiryThe inquiry will look at how to give children a stronger start in primary school and examine their routes through education and into the world of workThe Independent · 9 Nov, 09:34
• Society must now act to help white working-class pupils, inquiry declaresSociety must act to improve the educational outcomes of white working-class pupils, the co-chairwoman of an inquiry has said. The Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes revealed in June that the group suffers some of the weakest outcomes across the country. It has now launched its second phase, combining research work with education organisations to implement recommendations, the inquiry said. Baroness Estelle Morris, who is a co-chairwoman of the inquiry, said the initial report highlighted the extent of the challenge white working-class children face in school.…GB News · 9 Nov, 04:40
• Findings of inquiry that found education system 'is not set up to serve white working class children' will bring 'lasting change'In June, a probe found that the 1.25million white British pupils eligible for free school meals in England experience some of the weakest outcomes in the country across all stages of education.Daily Mail · 9 Nov, 00:52

In this story: Lucy Powell · Baroness Estelle Morris · Sir Hamid Patel · Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes · Star Academies · England

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