The Class Divide
Boys v School series: Episode 3 of 4 is out!
Chapter 3 of Boys v School is here: The Class Divide.
In this episode we explore the unique issues and barriers facing boys from working class communities as they experience school and step into adulthood.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:
Episode Introduction:
So far in Boys v School, we have focused on issues related to working class boys being boys.
In episode 1, Professor Noel Purdy stressed the need for school curriculum to be more flexible, engaging and relevant to boys’ needs.
While in episode 2, Dr Andy Hamilton explained why boys thrive when teachers and youth workers show respect and take the time to build a relationship.
In episode 3, we now turn our attention to another part of the puzzle – the issues related to working class boys being working class.
I start the episode with these words:
“As we try to make sense of why some boys fall behind in school, we have to talk about environment. Specifically, we need to talk about class. Because when you look at the data, it's clear it's working class boys who are struggling most.”
The data is indeed clear.
Consider some of the observable attainment gaps that we can see in the GCSE data for pupils gaining at least 5 GCSEs (A* to C) including English and Maths:
Boys v Girls: Between male (70.6%) and female pupils (76.1%), there’s a 6% attainment gap.
Protestant v Catholic: Between controlled controlled non-grammar schools (53.6%) and Catholic maintained non-grammar schools (62.2%), there’s a 9% gap.
FSME v NFSME: Between FSME school leavers (56.5%) and NFSME school leavers (82.3%), there’s a huge attainment gap of 25.8%!
If you don’t already know the jargon, FSME = eligible for free school meals and NFSME = not entitled to free school meals. Pupils are eligible for free school meals if their parent receive social security support for low incomes.
A quick scan of the three attainment gaps and you can see why we need to be understanding the context of working class boys (and in Northern Ireland, especially those from Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist communities) – they are right at the bottom of the attainment charts.
In episode 3, The Class Divide, that’s what I aim to do.
I hope you find the episode helpful.