The Impact of Policies on the Achievement of Social Groups

Question 1

Social Class

Answer 1

POSITIVE IMPACT
- Pupil Premium
If spent correctly it overcomes material deprivation and gives an opportunity to gain cultural capital.
- EMA
Encourages post-16 to stay in education and overcomes material deprivation.
- Excellence in Cities
Raise aspirations of w/c students in deprived inner-city areas.
- Sponsored Academies
w/c in failing schools get the opportunity to work in a more successful school and achieve higher grades.

NEGATIVE IMPACT
- Increase in University Tuition Fees
w/c are eonomically excluded because of material deprivation.
- Marketisation Policies
Led to the A-C economy.
- Parentocracy
only m/c parents take advantage of greater parental choice.

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

POSITIVE IMPACT
- Equal Opportunities policies
GIST and WISE.
- The National Curriculum
1988 Education Reform Act meant girls had to do maths and science.
- Coursework
Girls are better suited because of gender socialisation and bedroom culture.
- Boys' Reading Schemes
e.g. The Reading Champions Scheme

NEGATIVE IMPACT
- Gendered Subject Choices
Many girls still choose traditionally female subjects.
- Tripartite System
Disadvantaged girls.
- Coursework
Boys do not have bedroom culture and just cram before exams.

Question 3

Ethnicity

Answer 3

POSITIVE IMPACT
- Multicultural education
Equally values and emphasises the contribution of all ethnic groups.

NEGATIVE IMPACT
- Prevent Strategy and Policies Promoting ‘British Values’
Some strategies make groups feel targeted and victimised. The school curriculum is ethnocentric.
- Marketisation
ESL students struggle to complete school application forms and are unable to play the system. Lack educational capital.