Findings of inquiry that found education system 'is not set up to serve white working class children' will bring 'lasting change'

An independent inquiry which found that the current education system in Britain is not set up to serve white working class children will turn the research into lasting change for young people, a co-chair has promised. In June, a probe into the demographic's educational outcomes found that the 1.25million white British pupils eligible for free school meals in England experience some of the weakest outcomes in the country across all stages of education.

The inquiry launched its second phase on Monday. It will now combine research with work in educational organisations to put recommendations into practice. This summer, the inquiry found that once-in-a-generation reforms would be needed to tackle why white working class children are the lowest-performing large demographic in England's school system. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: 'A child's background should never mean opportunity belongs to someone else.

But right now, too many white working class children are falling behind at every stage of their education. 'That is why I am backing this independent inquiry to get to the heart of the barriers holding children back – from their first steps into school, through to the opportunities and choices they have as teenagers into further study, training or work.' Education Secretary Lucy Powell backed the independent inquiry, saying: 'A child's background should never mean opportunity belongs to someone else' The inquiry will look at how to give children a stronger start in primary school and examine their routes through education and into the world of work.

It comes as the number of young people not in education, employment or training - so-called Neets - remains just under one million. Sir Hamid Patel, who co-chairs the inquiry with Baroness Estelle Morris, said the probe, commissioned in summer 2025, marked 'the beginning of a sustained effort to improve outcomes for white working class young people'. Sir Hamid said: 'We will undertake further large-scale research into the parts of the system where we need to understand more, while building a national network of organisations committed not just to advocating for change, but to putting it into practice. 'Our ambition is to turn evidence into action and action into lasting change.

The scale of that challenge is considerable, but we are determined to get started.' Baroness Morris said the report in June highlighted the extent of the challenge white working class children face in school – as well as the consequences of failing to do anything about it. She said: 'We can't stop there. Our next phase of work will be led by experts in the field and will consider what needs to be done. 'This isn't just the responsibility of schools but calls for action from across society.

The partnerships we will bring together can play a powerful role in beginning this work.'