Despite a mass expansion of the higher education sector in the UK since the 1960s, young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds remain less likely to enter university than their advantaged counterparts.
Drawing on unique new research gathered from three contrasting secondary schools in England, including interviews with children from three year groups and careers advisors, this book explores the aspirations, opportunities and experiences of young people from different social-class backgrounds against a backdrop of continuing inequalities in education.
By focusing both on the stories of young people and the schools themselves, the book sheds light on the institutional structures and practices that render young people more, or less, able to pursue their aspirations.
Table of Content
Introduction
1. Reproduction: Social Class Inequality in Education
2. The Three Schools
3. Aspiration, Aspiration, Aspiration: ‘The Only Thing They’ve Forced Me To Do Is Keep My Options Open’
4. Knowledge, Familiarity and Physical Proximity: ‘Everyone in My Family Has Gone to University, I Don’t See Why I Shouldn’t’
5. Option Blocks that Block Options (GCSEs)
6. Packages, Facilitating Subjects and ‘Keeping the Options Open’ (A Levels)
7. Institutional Concerted Cultivation
8. Aim Lower: Leashing Aspirations and Internalising Notions of (In)ability
9. Jake’s Story: A Journey to Reflexivity
10. Conclusion
About the author
Jessie Abrahams is a Lecturer in Education and Social Justice in the School of Education at University of Bristol.
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