ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how intersectionality reveals the complexity of attainment. It focuses on the influence of social class/socio-economic status, gender and ethnicity on patterns of differential attainment. The chapter describes the effect of education policies. ‘Intersectionality’ is to recognise that dimensions of inequality are not discrete but involve reciprocal relations and conflicts. Class, gender and ethnicity intersect through people’s daily lives, varying according to time and place and cultural values and attitudes. Racism and sexism are powerful influences on children’s school experiences and the education system needs to directly confront these within both staff and student groups. The effect of poverty on attainment has been exacerbated by austerity policies in reducing resources within schools and increasing children living in poverty. Education policies cannot on their own counter the racism and sexism that permeate society, but schools should be required to enact zero-tolerance policies in these areas.
