One of the major educational challenges facing us today is ensuring talented pupils receive the same opportunity to excel. Today’s publication of a Warwick University study shows that low teacher expectations have meant Black Caribbean pupils are less likely to be entered for higher tier testing, apparently highlighting the “institutional racism” in schooling. This attitude ignores the real reason why disadvantaged pupils often don’t reach their educational potential: the poverty of aspiration and information in comprehensive schools.
Research from the Sutton Trust has shown that many comprehensive pupils academic progression is marred by a lack of knowledge of various aspects of university entrance. They support their case with some devastating statistics:
51% of pupils think that which higher education institution you attend has no impact on earnings.
45% of pupils did not know about eligibility for bursary schemes despite the fact 85% of those surveyed said it would have encouraged them to apply.
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