🧵THREAD
Today @CommonsEd published its report on outcomes for white working class pupils.
The Tory majority on the committee meant amendments tabled were hardly going to pass.
As a Committee member, I voted to not endorse the final report of the inquiry.
[1/9]
Today @CommonsEd published its report on outcomes for white working class pupils.
The Tory majority on the committee meant amendments tabled were hardly going to pass.
As a Committee member, I voted to not endorse the final report of the inquiry.
[1/9]
The purpose of inquiry was to explore why white working class pupils have lowest educational outcomes & recommend measures accordingly.
From evidence it’s unclear how the explanations are specific to the *white* working class to then have appropriate measures recommended.
[2/9]
From evidence it’s unclear how the explanations are specific to the *white* working class to then have appropriate measures recommended.
[2/9]
Place, regional economics, family experiences+social capital were some of explanations explored.
However, the link between these factors and how they produce the *worst* outcomes in education for *white* working class pupils, remains to be made.
[3/9]
However, the link between these factors and how they produce the *worst* outcomes in education for *white* working class pupils, remains to be made.
[3/9]
The tying root of working class experiences is structural economic inequality - manifesting itself via place, family experiences, lack of social capital etc.
Not the other way round.
Inquiring through lens of culture & ethnicity denies the structural class inequalities.
[4/9]
Not the other way round.
Inquiring through lens of culture & ethnicity denies the structural class inequalities.
[4/9]
It also denies the structural racial inequality that persists in society.
That ethnic minority groups may be more aspirational & more aware of their disadvantage than white wc communities - can be harmful to the support that both working class groups need in the system.
[5/9]
That ethnic minority groups may be more aspirational & more aware of their disadvantage than white wc communities - can be harmful to the support that both working class groups need in the system.
[5/9]
White privilege
The report relies on a definition from the discredited CRED report led by Tony Sewell that has seen the PM’s own equalities advisor resigning.
The use of this term & impact on white wc communities was not evidenced in full & was not in its initial scope.
[6/9]
The report relies on a definition from the discredited CRED report led by Tony Sewell that has seen the PM’s own equalities advisor resigning.
The use of this term & impact on white wc communities was not evidenced in full & was not in its initial scope.
[6/9]
Recommendations however do focus on it: the use of the term in schools, ensuring there is guidance on using it + other “politically controversial” terminology.
Even more concerning is the recommendation for the govt to take into consideration this in relation to funding.
[7/9]
Even more concerning is the recommendation for the govt to take into consideration this in relation to funding.
[7/9]
I think that it’s a jigsaw piece in the govt’s agenda to stoke up culture wars in deprived areas pitting working class communities against each other.
More dangerous would be it leading to narratives on white supremacy being legitimised that embolden far-right extremism.
[8/9]
More dangerous would be it leading to narratives on white supremacy being legitimised that embolden far-right extremism.
[8/9]
Any recommendations by the government must remain compliant with existing equalities legislation including the Equalities Act 2010 and articles of the EHCR - unless of course these laws are amended first!
Government responses can take a long time so we will see.
[9/9]
Government responses can take a long time so we will see.
[9/9]
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
