Educational Achievement and Inequality

    OCR
    GCSE

    This study component requires a critical analysis of differential educational achievement across social class, gender, and ethnicity within the contemporary UK education system. Candidates must distinguish between external factors (material/cultural deprivation, cultural capital) and internal school processes (labelling, streaming, pupil subcultures). Analysis must extend to the role of educational policy—from the Tripartite System to Marketisation and Privatisation—in either mitigating or reproducing social inequalities. Mastery of the debate between structuralist perspectives (Marxism, Functionalism) and interactionist approaches is essential for high-level credit.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological concepts (e.g., 'self-fulfilling prophecy', 'cultural capital', 'correspondence principle') rather than lay terms.
    • Credit responses that accurately apply theoretical perspectives (Marxist, Functionalist, Feminist) to explain achievement gaps.
    • Higher bands require the integration of specific sociological studies (e.g., Willis, Ball, Halsey) to substantiate arguments.
    • Evaluation must be sustained; candidates must critique the view presented in the question using counter-evidence or alternative theoretical frameworks.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological concepts (e.g., 'self-fulfilling prophecy', 'cultural capital', 'correspondence principle') rather than lay terms.
    • Credit responses that accurately apply theoretical perspectives (Marxist, Functionalist, Feminist) to explain achievement gaps.
    • Higher bands require the integration of specific sociological studies (e.g., Willis, Ball, Halsey) to substantiate arguments.
    • Evaluation must be sustained; candidates must critique the view presented in the question using counter-evidence or alternative theoretical frameworks.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 'Discuss' questions, ensure a balanced argument is presented before reaching a reasoned conclusion.
    • 💡Use the source data provided in Section B to anchor your initial points, then expand with own knowledge.
    • 💡Allocate approximately 1 minute per mark; spend 12-15 minutes on the final 12-mark essay.
    • 💡Explicitly link factors together; for example, explain how material deprivation (external) leads to placement in lower sets (internal).

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Relying on anecdotal evidence or personal experience instead of sociological studies and data.
    • Confusing 'material deprivation' (financial factors) with 'cultural deprivation' (values/norms).
    • Failing to distinguish between internal factors (in-school processes) and external factors (home background) when analyzing causes of underachievement.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    Compare

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