“These white working-class boys are being let down by an in-built and inherent disadvantage. I am concerned this is being brushed under the carpet, not by government necessarily… but by modern society which refuses to see the plight of young white males, even those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Ben Bradley MP
White working class boys Education
“Boys could do better” was published in around 2000 and outlined the many reasons as to why boys had slipped behind girls in most subjects. In brief, they concluded that much had been done to raise girls educational standards in maths and science subjects where they had trailed the boys but did not balance this by trying to raise boys educational standards in English language and literature. They also introduced coursework which girls rapidly adapted to and reduced the amount of sudden death exams which boys preferred.
Over the years since this publication various other reports have been produced. Namely :
- 2007 – Primary National Strategy Guidance – supporting boys achievements – link
- 2011 – Boys underachievement in schools – link
- 2013 – Parity briefing paper – Is action overdue on Boys academic achievements – link
- 2018 – Men and Boys Coalition – CREATING A MORE POSITIVE FUTURE FOR BOYS AND YOUNG MEN – 14 point plan – link
- 2020 – Ben Bradley MP – plight of white working class boys is “taboo subject in Westminster – will this be the start of some real action – link
- An example of double standards – link