White boys from low-income backgrounds: good practice in schools

This report presents the findings from a small scale survey of good practice into the good practice of in the education of white boys from low-income backgrounds.

The survey was carried out during the autumn term in 2007 and involved 20 schools across England where results indicated that white British boys from low-income backgrounds had performed better than their peers in other schools.

Participating pupils were identified by the school as being eligible for free school meals or who came from households where parents’ income was below the national average.

The survey highlighted that pupils from this group tended to make less progress than most other groups suggesting that there is still a link between poverty levels and underachievement.

For example, pupils who were not eligible for free school meals, 83 per cent achieved expected levels in English, 80 per cent in mathematics and 90 per cent in science.

However, 55 per cent of pupils who were eligible for free school meals achieved expected levels in English, 75 per cent in mathematics and 61 per cent in science.

Elements of good practice identified through the survey included schools having an ethos demonstrated commitment to every individual, a rigorous monitoring system to track progress and a curriculum designed to meet individual pupils’ needs.