ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of that evidence, looking at: patterns of attainment and variations between ethnic groups and gender, poverty and ethnicity, eligibility for free school meals (FSM) and attitudes and aspirations. The various indicators of success by black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) groups signal remarkable achievements given the barriers that have to be overcome and the various forms of racism that they face throughout their educational careers. While girls have a higher level of achievement than boys overall, the gender gap varies significantly across ethnic groups. Some ethnic minority groups appear to be more effective at resisting the underlying racism found both within the wider community and as it operates more subtly in schools and teachers' attitudes and expectations. The chapter focuses on the headline that grabs media attention is that white working-class pupils are falling behind and, among FSM pupils, the gap between ethnic minority and white working-class pupils has increased over time.
