external / material deprivation

• housing impacts on educational attainment

  • 30% of all children live in relative poverty = 30% of working class pupils are disadvantaged 
  • damp conditions lead to developing illnesses such as asthma
  • this could require them to go to hospital which lowers attendance and leads to missed learning 

  however, 

  • damp housing conditions became less of an issue for working class pupils since introduction of Homes (fitness for human habitation) Act 2018 
  • landlords were obliged to be more concerned with safety and conditions
• diet + health

  • leads to intellectual problems such as a difficulty with concentrating
  • Howard - children need a nutritional breakfast before school to support the pupil in concentrating easier 

  however,

  • breakfast clubs means working class pupils are less disadvantaged meaning this factor doesn’t fully explain why they are still underachieving
• financial constraints

  • working class pupils may not be able to afford transportation
  • leads to the student having to wake up earlier to walk to school, can cause tiredness and reduced focus during lessons