Educational Collateral Damage: Disadvantaged Students, Exclusion and Social Justice

The book challenges orthodox thinking about school exclusion and advocates for a fairer education system for disadvantaged students, arguing that the current conceptualisation of exclusion is insufficient and fails to recognise the layers of exclusion that these students encounter. It draws on student experiences of exclusion and the perspectives of senior leaders to demonstrate how we can create a fairer education system.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Challenging orthodox thinking about school exclusion, this book powerfully advocates for a fairer education system for disadvantaged students. It argues that the current conceptualisation of 'exclusion – physically removing the student from the school – is insufficient. This approach fails to recognise the layers of exclusion that these students encounter. Students can be excluded within their schools (inner exclusion), not just from school (outer exclusion). Drawing on student experiences of exclusion and the perspectives of senior leaders, including the author who is a Head of School, this book demonstrates how we can create a fairer education system for disadvantaged students.
Disadvantaged students in England's education system continue to face significant challenges, despite efforts to address the issue. This book challenges orthodox thinking about school exclusion and argues that the current conceptualisation of exclusion is insufficient. It highlights the layers of exclusion that these students encounter, including inner exclusion within their schools and outer exclusion from school. Drawing on student experiences of exclusion and the perspectives of senior leaders, including the author who is a Head of School, the book provides practical strategies for creating a fairer education system for disadvantaged students.

One of the key challenges facing disadvantaged students is the lack of access to resources and support. Many schools are underfunded and struggle to provide the necessary resources for their students, including textbooks, computers, and extracurricular activities. This can lead to a lack of engagement and motivation, which can in turn lead to poor academic performance.

Another challenge is the impact of poverty on education. Students from low-income families are more likely to experience poverty-related stress, which can affect their ability to learn. This can lead to poor attendance, behavior problems, and academic failure.

To address these challenges, the book advocates for a more holistic approach to education. This approach recognizes that education is not just about academic achievement but also about social and emotional development. It suggests that schools should provide a range of support services, including counseling, mental health services, and social work, to help students cope with the challenges they face.

The book also highlights the importance of teacher training and development. Teachers need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work with disadvantaged students, and this can be achieved through training programs and professional development opportunities.

In addition to these strategies, the book also suggests that schools should work to create a more inclusive learning environment. This can be achieved by providing a range of learning styles and accommodations to meet the needs of all students. It can also be achieved by promoting diversity and inclusion in the classroom and school community.

However, implementing these strategies can be challenging. Schools are often faced with limited resources and staff, and they may struggle to prioritize the needs of disadvantaged students. This can lead to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among students and their families.

To address this, the book suggests that governments should increase funding for education. This can be achieved through tax increases, government grants, and private donations. Governments should also work to ensure that schools are properly funded and staffed.

In addition to government funding, the book suggests that communities should play a role in supporting disadvantaged students. This can be achieved by providing mentorship programs, tutoring services, and after-school programs. Communities can also work to promote diversity and inclusion in the school community.

Finally, the book suggests that students should take responsibility for their own education. Students should be encouraged to set goals and work hard to achieve them. They should also be provided with the support and resources they need to succeed.

In conclusion, disadvantaged students in England's education system continue to face significant challenges. This book challenges orthodox thinking about school exclusion and advocates for a more holistic approach to education. It suggests that schools should provide a range of support services, teacher training and development, and a more inclusive learning environment. Governments should increase funding for education, communities should play a role in supporting disadvantaged students, and students should take responsibility for their own education. By implementing these strategies, we can create a fairer education system for all students.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447371991