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Education, Inequality and Social Class: Expansion and Stratification in

Educational Opportunity

Book · March 2019

DOI: 10.4324/9781315141749

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Ron Thompson
University of Huddersfield
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 EDUCATION, INEQUALITY and SOCIAL CLASS
‘This book is essential reading for all those concerned about social justice in education.
Richly theorised and convincingly argued, the book combines a forensic analysis of
educational disadvantage with a powerful examination of how class remains at the heart
of educational inequalities. Always reflexive and nuanced, the book never loses sight of
the complexities surrounding education disadvantage. It succeeds in bringing together
empirical data from across the globe and historical insights with an intersectional
perspective that recognise the importance of race and gender in the workings of class.’ EDUCATION, INEQUALITY
Diane Reay, Professor of Education, Cambridge University

‘Recent social research has indicated that social class inequalities of income, educational
and SOCIAL CLASS
achievement and life chances have widened in recent years. Ron Thompson’s
comprehensive and painstakingly researched analysis of the key issues in this crucial
sphere gives the lie to neoliberal claims about enhancing the equal opportunities of all
Expansion and Stratification
citizens through educational provision which fosters meritocratic access to academic in Educational Opportunity
success and well-paid jobs. This important book explains how, on the contrary, our present
social and educational system reproduces class divisions and excludes large segments
of the population from access to such opportunities. Thompson’s recommendations for
enhancing social justice through educational reforms merit the attention of all educators RON THOMPSON
and policymakers.’
Terry Hyland, Emeritus Professor, University of Bolton and Director/Trustee at Saor-Ollscoil
NahEireann (Free University of Ireland), Dublin

Education, Inequality and Social Class provides a comprehensive discussion of the empirical
evidence for persistent inequality in educational attainment. It explores the most important
theoretical perspectives that have been developed to understand class-based inequality and
frame further research. With clear explanations of essential concepts, this book draws on
empirical data from the UK and other countries to illustrate the nature and scale of inequalities
according to social background, discussing the interactions of class-based inequalities with
those according to race and gender.

The book relates aspects of inequality to the features of educational systems, showing how
policy choices impact on the life chances of children from different class backgrounds. The
relationship between education and social mobility is also explored, using the concepts of social
closure, positionality and social congestion. The book also provides detailed discussions of the

RON THOMPSON
work of Pierre Bourdieu and Basil Bernstein, two important theorists whose contributions have
generated thriving research traditions much used in contemporary educational research.

Education, Inequality and Social Class will be essential reading for postgraduate and advanced
undergraduate students engaged in the study of education, childhood studies and sociology.
It will also be of great interest to academics, researchers and teachers in training.

Ron Thompson is a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield. His main
research interests are in social class and educational inequality, and he has written extensively
on young people and educational marginality. He is co-author of Education, Work and Social
Change and NEET Young People and Training for Work.

EDUCATION
Cover image: © Getty Images

ISBN 978-1-138-30637-0

www.routledge.com/education

Routledge titles are available as eBook editions in a range of digital formats 9 781138 306370

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