An independent inquiry has determined that England’s education system is failing white working-class children, identifying them as the lowest-performing large demographic within the country’s schools. The report calls for comprehensive, once-in-a-generation reforms to address longstanding educational disparities affecting this group.

The inquiry, which involved extensive interviews with thousands of young people, parents, and teachers, found that the underperformance among white working-class pupils cannot be attributed to low ambition or lack of effort. Instead, the problem is linked to broader socioeconomic factors, including long-term economic shifts, entrenched poverty, and place-based inequalities. The co-chairs of the inquiry, Baroness Estelle Morris and Sir Hamid Patel, emphasized that these challenges are compounded by weakening trust in institutions.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson welcomed the findings, stating that the government intends to champion this group “for the first time in a long time.” Her response signals a commitment to tackling the specific barriers white working-class children face within the educational system.

The report has also drawn political attention. Reform UK has called for “radical reform” of the education system, claiming that only their party can deliver the necessary changes. Meanwhile, the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity, cautioned against framing the issue as a competition between disadvantaged groups. Chief Executive Nick Harrison highlighted that young people from black Caribbean backgrounds experience comparable challenges, noting they are “just as unlikely to become top earners.” Harrison pointed to the interplay of disadvantage and geography, highlighting communities affected by sustained poverty and limited access to well-paid employment.

Overall, the inquiry underscores that the educational struggles of white working-class children are deeply intertwined with broader social and economic trends, rather than individual shortcomings. It recommends systemic reforms aimed at closing gaps in achievement and opportunity, with a focus on addressing inequality rooted in place and economic conditions.