Research

Research

The Inquiry into White Working-Class Educational Outcomes launched in June 2025 and will report in Summer 2026.

The Inquiry’s research will build on the existing evidence-base, analyse what did and didn’t work in previous school improvement initiatives, conduct in-depth data analysis and undertake extensive primary research. These findings will be triangulated and recommendations produced for schools, colleges, the sector and policymakers that can change outcomes in the long-term for white working-class young people.

The Inquiry’s findings will be published in this section of the website. This will include the final report in Summer 2026. Polling tables can be found here.

Our research programme includes:

Strand 1

Expert Evidence

June 2025 – September 2025

  • Literature review
  • Policy analysis
  • International comparisons
  • Data Analysis
  • Evidence Sessions
  • Open Call for Evidence

Strand 2

Young People

June 2025 – October 2025

  • Nationally representative poll of ~2000 school aged children
  • Focus groups with young people

Strand 3

Parents

June 2025 – October 2025

  • Nationally representative poll of ~2000 parents of school aged children
  • Focus groups with parents of young people

Strand 4

Schools & Colleges

August 2025 – December 2025

  • Nationally representative poll of ~500 school and college staff
  • Immersive research with schools and colleges
  • Roundtables with school and college leaders

Strand 5

Communities

December 2025 – February 2026

  • Roundtables with community organisations
  • Immersive research in white working-class communities

June 2025 - Summer 2026