Call for Evidence - Now Closed

This Inquiry is looking into why white working-class children and young people in England often face challenges in education – and what can be done to change that.

This call for evidence aims to:

  • Gather insights from across England – from cities, towns, and rural areas – to help us understand what’s really happening on the ground
  • Build a clearer picture of the challenges and barriers that white working-class children and young people face in education
  • Find out what’s working – what policies, programmes, or local efforts have made a real difference, and what more could be done

The Call for Evidence is now closed.

If you would like to get in touch with the Inquiry, please do so on inquiry@publicfirst.co.uk

How do you define white working-class?

What are the key factors driving underperformance of white working-class children and young people in England?

What does the best available evidence tell us about what has worked -— and what hasn’t?

What interventions could be introduced or extended to improve outcomes for white working-class children and young people?

Findings from the call to evidence will be compared with the other research strands of the Inquiry, including analysis of pupil outcomes and polling of children and young people, parents and school staff.

Recommendations will be produced for schools, colleges, the sector and policymakers that can change outcomes in the long-term for white working-class young people.

The Inquiry will report in June 2026.

How we will use your evidence

The Inquiry may quote parts of your submission in its reports and publications. Please let us know if you wish us to accept your submission anonymously. You are free to publish your own submission after it has been sent to us.

By submitting evidence, you are confirming that you are 16 years of age or above, and understand that this information is collected by Public First, the secretariat of the Inquiry, and will be shared with Inquiry partners, and our Inquiry Panel.