Class Differences in Achievement: External Factors

Social class remains the single strongest predictor of educational achievement in the UK. Pupils from middle-class backgrounds consistently outperform those from working-class backgrounds at every stage of education, from early years through to university. The AQA specification requires you to understand and evaluate the external factors (those outside school) that contribute to class differences in achievement. These are grouped into two broad categories: material deprivation and cultural deprivation. You must also understand cultural capital theory and the role of compensatory education policies.

Key Definition: External factors are factors outside the education system, such as home background, income, and cultural values, that influence educational achievement.

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Material Deprivation

Key Definition: Material deprivation refers to poverty and a lack of material resources such as adequate housing, income, and diet. Working-class families are more likely to experience material deprivation, which can have a direct impact on educational achievement.

Material deprivation is the most straightforward explanation for class differences in achievement. If a family lacks money, the child is likely to suffer educational disadvantage in several ways.

Housing