Class and Achievement

Question 1

Trends:

Answer 1

Working class pupils achieve less 5 A* grades than middle class pupils. 
Achievement gap between FSM and non-FSM.
Working class less likely to go to university.

Question 2

Class is important:

Answer 2

Material deprivation - w/c may lack resources to study.
Cultural deprivation / parental values - w/c parents may not value education as highly.

W/c parents may lack cultural capital (knowledge/skills) and social capital (social networks) to help their children succeed.

W/c pupils more likely to join counter school subcultures. (Willis)

Question 3

Class in not important:

Answer 3

Functionalism - Education is based on meritocracy (ability and effort not money)
A higher % of w/c pupils are going to Uni
Other factors (gender/ethnicity)