TV blamed as white working-class boys struggle

WHITE British boys from poor families are falling further behind their classmates at school, figures showed today.

Only 16 per cent of white boys from British working-class homes scored five good GCSEs as the gap in results widened between the poorest pupils and the rest. Teachers said that many of these boys lacked role models and merely aspired to become reality TV stars.

The figures mark a blow for ministers after the Government pumped billions of pounds into narrowing the divide between rich and poor pupils.

Figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families showed the gulf in exam results had widened in the past year. Last year, white working-class boys were 31 percentage points behind the national average for scoring five A*-C grades. This year, the gap was 32 percentage points.

John Puckrin, from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "Unfortunately, they are presented with models of success being based on footballers, or the Lottery, or X-Factor and the celebrity culture."

The figures for state schools showed Chinese and Indian pupils scored the best exam results. This year, 69 per cent of Chinese teenagers achieved five C grades or better, compared with a national average of 47 per cent.