ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 gives an analysis of the nature of disadvantage and its consequences for learners. It examines poverty from economic, social, cultural and subcultural perspectives. It shows the importance of language, gender, ethnicity, culture and behavioural interventions in overcoming disaffection and disadvantage. It suggests that education can compensate for society once the appropriate identification and intervention procedures are undertaken. The needs of ‘interrupted learners’ are examined as a special group that has been overlooked for too long. In addition, the contribution of the ‘school effect’ is explored for the ways in which it can put some pupils at risk and how the needs of all pupils can be met, including those of BAME, refugee and immigrant children. The conclusion is that the education and training of teachers is not fit for purpose in the majority of cases and needs to be reviewed.
