Health · Healthcare & Policy · 16 hrs ago
Inquiry begins work to improve outcomes for white working-class pupils
An independent inquiry has begun a new phase focused on improving education outcomes for white working-class children in England.
Its earlier work found that white British pupils eligible for free school meals have some of the weakest outcomes across school stages.
The inquiry said its data may have missed some low-income families, though all families receiving Universal Credit have since become eligible for free school meals.
It will study how teenagers aged 14 to 19 move towards further study and work, and how schools can help children make the transition from primary to secondary school.
The inquiry plans to develop practical recommendations and help put them into practice with government, schools, colleges and other organisations.
The work comes as nearly one million young people are classed as not in education, employment or training.
A final report by Alan Milburn on tackling that wider problem is expected in the coming weeks.
An independent inquiry has begun its second phase to improve educational outcomes for white working-class pupils in England.
The phase will develop practical recommendations for government, schools, colleges and organisations working with white working-class communities.
It will combine further research with work by educational organisations to put recommendations into practice.
The inquiry will examine how to strengthen children’s start in primary school and improve routes through education and into work.
It will also research the education and employment pathways of teenagers aged 14 to 19.
- Who
- An independent inquiry co-chaired by Sir Hamid Patel and Baroness Estelle Morris.
- What
- It has begun a second phase to research and develop practical recommendations to improve outcomes for white working-class pupils.
- When
- Monday, 9 November 2026.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The inquiry found that white working-class pupils face weak outcomes across stages of education, and that families increasingly believe the education system does not guarantee future success.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The inquiry was commissioned.
The inquiry reported that 1.25 million white British pupils eligible for free school meals in England experienced some of the weakest educational outcomes.
The inquiry said the scale of disadvantage was likely larger than the data showed because it excluded some low-income families not receiving free school meals.
The inquiry launched its second phase, combining further research with work to put recommendations into practice.
- Pupils
- 1.25 million white British pupils in England were eligible for free school meals, according to the inquiry’s June findings.
- Research age range
- Teenagers aged 14 to 19.
- Inquiry co-chairs
- Sir Hamid Patel and Baroness Estelle Morris.
- Young people not in education, employment or training
- Nearly one million, according to the BBC; just under one million, according to the Daily Mail.
2 sources
What people are saying
Right now, too many white working-class children are falling behind at every stage of their education
Our ambition is to turn evidence into action and action into lasting change.
This isn't just the responsibility of schools but calls for action from across society.