White working class boys fell further behind their classmates in GCSE results this year, suggesting government efforts to close the social gap in exam results are stalling.
Figures released today show that white boys lagged further behind the national average in this summer’s exams than a year ago. Just 16% of white boys on free school meals reached the government’s target of five good GCSEs including English and maths - 32 percentage points behind the national average of 48%, and a one percentage point slip on last year.
The government also today published details of its progress on public service targets, acknowledging a failure to reach targets set for test results of 11 and 14-year-olds and a failure to close the gap between children’s skills in the richest and poorest areas when they start school.
Throughout their education white working class boys are now the lowest achievers apart from a small group of Traveller pupils.
From their first week of school the group struggle behind their classmates and they are the least likely of any group of pupils to go to university. White working class boys account for around 7% of the state school population.
Some 52% of girls got five good GCSEs including English and maths compared to 44% of boys. The gap between girls and boys was similar to last year.
The social gap in education results has become a key political battleground, with the Tories accusing the government of failing the poorest children in society.
Ministers today published an autumn performance report for 2008 which revealed how well the department for children, schools and families had done on key public service targets.
The report said the DCSF missed targets for this year on improving children’s social, communication and behaviour skills when they start school and on narrowing the gap in this measure between children from the poorest and wealthiest postcodes.
The government met a separate target to ensure that at least 60% of pupils get five GCSEs, not necessarily including English and maths, and to ensure that no school has below 30% of pupils achieving those grades.
Shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said: “It is deeply worrying that the gap between disadvantaged and better off boys just keeps growing. A culture of low expectations and a lack of rigour are holding these pupils back.
“We need to ensure that schools in the most deprived areas are using the type of high-quality academic teaching which we know can drive up standards, with a focus on setting by ability and a strong behavioural policy.”
A DCSF spokesperson said: “We want to see every child reach their full potential, regardless of their background.
“In 2009 we will be launching our narrowing the gaps strategy to drive forward our ambition and commitment to making sure that no group is left behind by focusing on groups such as white boys on free school meals, and offering them targeted support.”
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