Study Finds One Third of Disadvantaged White Pupils in England Lack Secure Reading Fluency, Lower Than Other Disadvantaged Groups

A study by the Fischer Family Trust found that 33 percent of white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in England finish primary education reading below 90 words correct per minute. The same research showed 20 percent of more affluent white pupils fell below the threshold considered necessary for secure reading fluency.

The analysis covered more than one million reading fluency assessments involving 231,000 pupils across 1,570 schools between September 2023 and June 2026.

White pupils from poorer households performed at lower levels throughout their primary years than both wealthier classmates and disadvantaged children from other ethnic backgrounds. An independent inquiry into white working-class educational outcomes determined that the education system was not set up to serve white working-class children and families and required overhaul.

GB News reported the inquiry's conclusions last week.

Paul Charman, FFT's managing director, said a third of white disadvantaged pupils are leaving primary school without secure reading fluency. He added that the gap persisted through the school system. James Bowen, Assistant General Secretary at the NAHT school leaders' union, said disparities in reading ability emerge before children begin formal schooling and are reflected in vocabulary differences observable by the age of five.

He stated that intervention must begin in the early years with support for families alongside school efforts. Hamid Patel, Star Academies CEO and inquiry co-chair, said the findings reinforced calls for renewed national focus on reading fluency from primary through early secondary years. He warned that if the issue is not addressed the consequences are long-lasting.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said change will not come overnight but that white working-class children now have a government that will fight for them.