Middle-class Privileges in England’s Education System

A Divided System

The privileges and advantages of white middle-class pupils at the nursery, primary and secondary school stages are disputed by only a few commentators. Yet there are middle-class pupils who are ‘compelled’ to follow curriculum not suited to their needs. Some, for example, take GCE A levels in schools when programmes in further education colleges would be more appropriate.

The claim that 16 year-olds are able to choose freely between sixth forms and further education colleges is a fiction in many parts of the country. And, despite recent changes, most GCE A level programmes are an inadequate preparation for life and work in the 21st century.

When they reach 16, the school- leaving age, students are faced with a divided system. There are academic studies in schools and colleges; vocational studies in colleges; training schemes organised by employers. The traditional view is that academic studies are for middle-class students, while training outside the further education system is for the working classes.

Middle- Class Benefits

The benefits of the reforms and expansion in the second half of the twentieth century, under both Conservative and Labour governments, were predominantly to the middle classes. This applies to the widening of opportunities at the secondary stage, through comprehensive schools, as well as to the expansion of further and higher education.

Disgracefully neglected in the 21st century are the working classes in general and, specifically, the disabled, ethnic minorities, the over fifties, unskilled workers, women. The scale of neglect and exclusion is ignored by government and the enormous need for education and training is disguised by the fact that thousands are outside official statistics.

Denial of Opportunities

Staying-on, in schools and colleges, increased steadily in the 1980s and early 1990s – to the point where it was claimed that over 80 per cent of 16-17 year-olds were in either education, training or work. This increasing participation represented a catching up on competitor nations; although the UK remained well behind the USA, Japan and most West European states in providing opportunities for post 17s and adults.

Whereas in Germany, for example, over two-thirds of the workforce had a recognised qualification, this applied to only one third of the UK workforce at the end of the last century. Despite the promises of politicians, there has been no marked improvement since. The unqualified are denied opportunities to obtain qualifications, while the government, and private sector employers, are compelled to advertise overseas for skilled workers.