by Camilla Tominey, Telegraph
It used to be a refuge for ‘lost souls’ but recently the CofE has seemed either absent or distracted by progressive issues
Tony Sewell published a landmark report on ethnic disparities in Britain five years ago this month. It challenged a dominant narrative, arguing that while racism exists, it is often not the primary driver of unequal outcomes between groups. Instead, factors such as class, family stability, geography and personal agency were found to play a greater role.
For some, the conclusion was uncomfortable: children raised in stable homes, where education is valued, tend to succeed, regardless of race. Many critics rejected its findings outright, unwilling to move beyond a world-view steeped in concepts such as “structural racism”. Yet five years on, the report hasn’t been proved wrong. If anything, Sewell’s core argument has been vindicated.
At an anniversary event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice this week, contributors to the report reflected on what has changed. The answer is: very little. Despite the relentless spread of concepts like “white privilege”, the data continue to tell a different story.
Today, disadvantaged white British boys remain among the lowest performers in the education system. Only 36 per cent of white British boys on free school meals achieved expected standards in GCSE English and maths last year. That compares with 65 per cent of pupils overall, and significantly higher outcomes among many minority groups facing similar economic hardship. This is not a marginal gap; it is a systemic failure affecting a large and overlooked group and one that will continue to widen if left unaddressed.