Committees

Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds

Inquiry

The Education Committee is to investigate the issues faced by disadvantaged groups, with an initial inquiry into the educational underachievement of white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds including white working class pupils.

This inquiry will examine the extent of the achievement gap between this group and their peers and how it is measured, alongside a consideration of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. It will also look at what the priorities should be for tackling this issue.

Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.

Learn more about our work.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 19 May 2021
10:00am Public
Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - Oral evidence 19 May 2021
10:00am
  • Dr Tony Sewell CBE (Chair at Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities)
  • Martyn Oliver (Commissioner at Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities)
  • Professor Steve Strand (Professor of Education at University of Oxford)
Virtual meeting
Tuesday 9 February 2021
10:00am Public
Oral evidence session 9 February 2021
Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - Oral evidence
10:00am
  • Rt Hon. Nick Gibb MP (Minister of State for School Standards at Department for Education)
  • Vicky Ford MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Familes at Department for Education)
Accountability hearings - Oral evidence
11:00am
  • Vicky Ford MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Familes at Department for Education)
Virtual Meeting
Tuesday 26 January 2021
10:00am Public
Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - Oral evidence 26 January 2021
10:00am
  • Dr. Javed Khan (Chief Executive Officer at Barnardo’s)
  • Merle Davies (Director at Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development)
  • Sonia Shaljean (Managing Director at Lads need Dads)
  • Louisa Reeves (Head of Impact and Evidence at I CAN)
  • Claire Smith (Talk Halton Project Lead at Halton Borough Council)
Virtual meeting
Thursday 7 January 2021
10:00am Public
Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - Oral evidence 7 January 2021
10:00am
  • Professor Liz Barnes (Vice Chancellor at Staffordshire University)
  • Chris Millward (Director for Fair Access and Participation at Office for Students)
  • Rae Tooth (Chief Executive at Villiers Park Educational Trust)
  • Dr Graeme Atherton (Director at The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON))
  • Karen Spencer MBE (Principal at Harlow College)
Virtual Meeting

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.