# Government targets white working-class school disengagement with new curriculum

> New education reforms aim to stop white working-class pupils being rushed into GCSEs too early.
- Title: Government targets white working-class school disengagement…
- Summary: New education reforms aim to stop white working-class pupils being rushed into GCSEs too early.
- Keywords: uk government, white working-class children, key stage 3, gcse preparation, school disengagement, persistent absence, neet, national curriculum, MadeForMums
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/news/family-news/government-announces-school-reforms-aimed-at-helping-white-working-class-children-succeed
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uk government, white working-class children, key stage 3, gcse preparation, school disengagement, persistent absence, neet, national curriculum
## New school reforms target white working-class pupils
The government plans major changes to the first three years of secondary school to help white working-class children succeed.
## Restoring key stage 3 as three-year phase
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) will be a distinct three-year phase to build stronger foundations before GCSEs.
## White working-class pupils face disengagement risks
1.25 million white British pupils in England who receive free school meals experience weak educational outcomes.
## Persistent absence doubles in key stage 3
The proportion of pupils persistently absent almost doubles between Year 7 and Year 9, reaching one in four children.
## White working-class absence rates 75% higher
For white working-class children, persistent absence rates are 75% higher in secondary school than in primary school.
## New curriculum focuses on core skills
The new National Curriculum will emphasize reading fluency, numeracy, oracy, technical skills and creative subjects.
## Government aims to reduce neet rates
With nearly one million young people currently classed as NEET, reforms target improving education routes for teenagers.
## Education secretary explains changes
Lucy Powell says early GCSE focus leaves pupils with narrower curriculum and rushed learning before fundamentals.
## Key takeaway

The UK government will restore Key Stage 3 as a three-year phase to help white working-class children stay engaged in school before GCSEs.