The relationship between low income families and their children's attainment has been a constant reoccurring issue for the UK government. There have been several improvements encouraged by the Coalition government in order to widen opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend higher education, in particular the most selective universities by providing full financial support for children from low income backgrounds (Government UK, 2012). In addition to this, several Russell group universities have began offering additional information days to allow children to be aware of the vast opportunities to study at their institutions, in particular the opportunities to attend summer schools as a grade supplement in hopes to encourage children from all backgrounds to apply (ibid). According to current schools minister David Laws,
"We are building a much stronger economy and a fairer society. That means helping more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to
understand the benefits of an education at some of our best universities. Too many bright pupils who have the potential to study at this level
miss out simply because they never thought of applying, or never knew they could. "
(Government UK, 2010, online).
Although the current education system is focussing on promoting social mobility and encouraging children to achieve, contextual factors such as family income and socio-cultural differences can be detrimental in a child’s level of success over other factors such as high achievement (Bartlett et al, 2001). As statistical data has shown, academic achievement for children entitled to free school meals have improved in the last decade, however it can be suggested that this is not enough in determining success as children and families from higher classes will always be able to dominate and take advantage of the education system and higher education institutions (Arthur and Davies, 2010). From drawing upon various theoretical frameworks such as Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural and social capital and Howard Becker's labelling theory, it is evident that there are inequalities in educational opportunities for children that are beyond their control. As suggested by Whitty (2002), inequalities in the education system will only be overcome by the introduction of new, fairer policies but additionally, higher education institutions must play their play by adapting their admission procedures so it will be fair for all children to have the opportunity to attend an elite university, regardless of their socio-economic stance.
Total Word Count: 2577
"We are building a much stronger economy and a fairer society. That means helping more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to
understand the benefits of an education at some of our best universities. Too many bright pupils who have the potential to study at this level
miss out simply because they never thought of applying, or never knew they could. "
(Government UK, 2010, online).
Although the current education system is focussing on promoting social mobility and encouraging children to achieve, contextual factors such as family income and socio-cultural differences can be detrimental in a child’s level of success over other factors such as high achievement (Bartlett et al, 2001). As statistical data has shown, academic achievement for children entitled to free school meals have improved in the last decade, however it can be suggested that this is not enough in determining success as children and families from higher classes will always be able to dominate and take advantage of the education system and higher education institutions (Arthur and Davies, 2010). From drawing upon various theoretical frameworks such as Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural and social capital and Howard Becker's labelling theory, it is evident that there are inequalities in educational opportunities for children that are beyond their control. As suggested by Whitty (2002), inequalities in the education system will only be overcome by the introduction of new, fairer policies but additionally, higher education institutions must play their play by adapting their admission procedures so it will be fair for all children to have the opportunity to attend an elite university, regardless of their socio-economic stance.
Total Word Count: 2577