// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Society needs to act to help white working-class pupils, inquiry says
Action from "across society" is needed to help improve the educational outcomes of white working-class children, the co-chair of an independent inquiry looking into the issue has said.
The inquiry's first report, published this summer, concluded that once-in-a-generation reforms were needed to fix a system "not serving the interests of white working-class children".
The next phase will focus on early years children and teenagers aged 14 to 19, aiming for a stronger start at primary school and improving older students' routes through education into successful careers.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was "backing" the inquiry to "get to the heart of the barriers holding children back".
Inquiry co-chair and former education secretary Baroness Morris said the next phase of the inquiry's work will consider "what needs to be done".
"This isn't just the responsibility of schools but calls for action from across society," she said.
The Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, external was commissioned by the multi-academy trust Star Academies, and is supported by the Department for Education.
It spoke to thousands of young people and their parents, as well as hundreds of teachers.
Education data about white working class pupils was also analysed as part of the year-long review, looking at the 1.25 million young people in England who are white British and in receipt of free school meals.
The inquiry found a growing belief among white working-class families that the current education system does not guarantee future success.