ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the persistent correlation between social class and degree of educational success. It also explores the way that social class continues to have an impact on education, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The correlation between social class position and educational attainment has long been established and discussed in a broad range of sociological literature. A broad range of literature explores the nature and significance of socio-economic status or social class. In addition, commentators often point to social deprivation, poverty and the relationship to social exclusion. The extent to which one can mitigate for significant structural social class-based inequalities is debatable, certainly in a United Kingdom context where 7-8 percent of the school population is privately educated and gains a significant and demonstrable advantage. The desire, and pressure, to create a more inclusive society has been reflected in recent legislation in the United Kingdom, in particular through the Equality Act.
