Education and inequality: ‘doing the right thing?' Professor Emma Smith School of Education

A fair society is an open society, one in which every individual is free to succeed. No one should be prevented from fulfilling their potential by the circumstances of their birth. What ought to count is how hard you work and the skills and talents you possess, not the school you went to or the jobs your parents did. Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility, The Cabinet Office, May 2011

Share of total income according to poverty group, UK 2008/09

Self reports of being in not good health amongst residents of private households in England by deprivation level and sex, 2001–05

Percentage of children living below poverty thresholds, UK

‘Essential items’ A holiday away from home Enough bedrooms for every child over 10 Swimming at least once a month Have friends around for tea or a snack at least once a fortnight Go on a school trip at least once a term Celebrations on special occasions, such as birthdays Own a bicycle

‘I say education is social justice. Education is liberty. Education is opportunity. Education is the key not just to how we as individuals succeed and prosper, but to the future of this country’. Tony Blair ‘Education is the greatest liberator mankind has ever known and the greatest force for social progress’. Gordon Brown ‘Without good education there can be no social justice’. David Cameron

Attainment gap between black/white students, compared with FSM eligibility

Education and inequality: what is the right thing to do? People should be treated according to their merit or what they deserve. People should be treated according to what they need. Everyone should be treated equally and in the same way.

Pete and Sam were both given a piece of homework by their teacher that needed to be completed by the following day. Pete went home and spent the evening researching his homework using the Internet, writing his findings up neatly and submitted his work the next morning. Sam also completed his work on time but he scribbled it down quickly on the school bus that morning. When the marks came back Pete received a Grade A and Sam a Grade D.

Is it fair that Pete should have a higher mark than Sam? 1.Yes 2.No

The reason that Sam completed his homework on the school bus was because his home life was very difficult. He had to care for his sick mother and look after his younger brother and sisters. He had no access to the Internet at home and was not able to visit his local library because he spent the evening cooking for the family and caring for the younger children.

Now that we know a bit more about Sam’s home life, do we still think it is fair that he should be awarded a lower mark than Pete? 1.Yes. Pete worked harder than Sam and should be rewarded. It isn’t Pete’s fault that Sam has problems at home 2.No. Sam shouldn’t suffer in school because he has problems at home. He doesn’t have the same opportunity to succeed as Pete does. Countdown 10

Jacinta has difficulty reading and finds it hard to keep up in class. The teacher has to spend a lot of time helping Jacinta and gives her a lot of attention. Sometimes the other students have to wait for the teacher to stop helping Jacinta and to come and help them.

Is it fair that the teacher spends so much time with Jacinta? 1.Yes. Jacinta needs extra help so it is fair that the teacher gives her more attention. 2.No. The teacher should spend equal time with all the students. It is not fair they should have to wait. Countdown 10

Sarah is an excellent swimmer. She arrives at the pool each morning at 6am and trains for two hours before going to school. On the basis of her swimming success, Sarah wins a scholarship to a highly prestigious school.

Is it fair that Sarah should receive an excellent education because she is a good swimmer? 1.Yes. Sarah deserves this scholarship because she works hard and is good at her sport. 2.No. Sarah doesn’t deserve this reward, she is lucky to be a good swimmer. Other students work just has hard as Sarah but don’t get a reward. Countdown 10

Susannah attends the same school as Sarah. Susannah comes from a wealthy family whose parents can easily afford to pay the large tuition fees. Susannah is not especially talented or even particularly enjoys school but because she was born to a wealthy family she is able to enjoy the benefits of an excellent education.

Is it fair that Susannah should be able to attend this school just because her parents are rich? 1.Yes. Susannah’s parents should be free to chose to pay for her to go to this school. 2.No. She is lucky to be born into a wealthy family and has done nothing to deserve being sent to such a good school. Countdown 10

‘Rich thick kids do better than poor clever children’ Michael Gove, July 2010 Educational inequalities persist from early education through to university They mirror other social inequalities such as those in health, income, crime, housing and well being. There are different ways of dealing with inequalities and in deciding how to allocate resources fairly.

According to the UK Prime Minister: Schools are in ‘the front line against poverty and inequality’ Is this too much to ask?