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5 Dec 2025
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Understanding Sociology: AQA A-Level Education - Class, Gender, and Ethnicity Factors
ashin <3
@a.xxo
1 / 3
Gender and Educational Achievement
Gender differences in education have completely flipped over the past few decades. Girls now outperform boys in most subjects, but the reasons behind these patterns are complex and fascinating.
Internal factors within schools play a huge role. League tables and selection processes often favour girls because they're seen as natural achievers in coursework-based assessments (Gorard, Mitsos & Browne). Schools have also worked hard to remove gender stereotypes and provide better female role models, with programmes like GIST and WISE encouraging girls into science and technology.
For boys, the story's different. Mitsos and Browne argue there's a "crisis of masculinity" - traditional masculine jobs have disappeared due to globalisation, leaving boys without clear goals. While girls develop language skills through "bedroom culture" (chatting and reading), boys focus on activities like football that don't build academic skills.
Key insight: The "feminisation of education" means schools now reward traits traditionally seen as feminine - cooperation, coursework completion, and verbal skills - which can disadvantage boys who thrive in more competitive, exam-based environments.
Ethnicity and Educational Performance
Ethnic differences in achievement reveal some shocking inequalities in our education system. The gap between highest and lowest achieving ethnic groups can be as wide as two full GCSE grades.
Internal school factors include teacher racism and low expectations that create self-fulfilling prophecies. Wright and Gillborn & Youdell found teachers often stereotype certain ethnic minority students as troublemakers or less capable. The curriculum itself can be ethnocentric, focusing mainly on white British culture and history (Ball, Troyna & Williams).
However, external factors from home and community matter just as much. Family structure varies significantly between ethnic groups - Sewell noted how single-parent households can affect educational support. Language barriers (Engelmann & Bereiter) and material deprivation also create additional challenges for some communities.
Remember: Some ethnic minority groups actually outperform white students, showing that ethnicity intersects with class and gender in complex ways that simple stereotypes can't explain.
Social Class and Academic Success
Social class remains the biggest predictor of educational achievement - bigger than gender or ethnicity. Working-class students face barriers both inside and outside school that middle-class students rarely encounter.
Internal factors include setting and streaming systems that often disadvantage working-class pupils (Hargreaves and Ball). Teachers frequently have lower expectations for these students, creating self-fulfilling prophecies (Rosenthall & Jacobsen). Anti-school subcultures can develop as a response to academic failure, though researchers like Fuller and Woods show these relationships aren't straightforward.
External factors are equally powerful. Material deprivation affects everything from diet to housing quality, whilst Bernstein's research on language codes shows how working-class speech patterns can clash with school expectations. Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital explains how middle-class families pass on advantages through knowledge, skills, and cultural experiences that schools value.
Think about it: Working-class parents care just as much about their children's education, but they often lack the cultural knowledge and resources to navigate the education system effectively.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Sociology: AQA A-Level Education - Class, Gender, and Ethnicity Factors
ashin <3
@a.xxo
Ever wondered why some groups of students tend to do better at school than others? Educational achievement isn't just about individual ability - it's heavily influenced by gender, ethnicity, and social class, creating patterns that sociologists have been studying for... Show more
Gender and Educational Achievement
Gender differences in education have completely flipped over the past few decades. Girls now outperform boys in most subjects, but the reasons behind these patterns are complex and fascinating.
Internal factors within schools play a huge role. League tables and selection processes often favour girls because they're seen as natural achievers in coursework-based assessments (Gorard, Mitsos & Browne). Schools have also worked hard to remove gender stereotypes and provide better female role models, with programmes like GIST and WISE encouraging girls into science and technology.
For boys, the story's different. Mitsos and Browne argue there's a "crisis of masculinity" - traditional masculine jobs have disappeared due to globalisation, leaving boys without clear goals. While girls develop language skills through "bedroom culture" (chatting and reading), boys focus on activities like football that don't build academic skills.
Key insight: The "feminisation of education" means schools now reward traits traditionally seen as feminine - cooperation, coursework completion, and verbal skills - which can disadvantage boys who thrive in more competitive, exam-based environments.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ethnicity and Educational Performance
Ethnic differences in achievement reveal some shocking inequalities in our education system. The gap between highest and lowest achieving ethnic groups can be as wide as two full GCSE grades.
Internal school factors include teacher racism and low expectations that create self-fulfilling prophecies. Wright and Gillborn & Youdell found teachers often stereotype certain ethnic minority students as troublemakers or less capable. The curriculum itself can be ethnocentric, focusing mainly on white British culture and history (Ball, Troyna & Williams).
However, external factors from home and community matter just as much. Family structure varies significantly between ethnic groups - Sewell noted how single-parent households can affect educational support. Language barriers (Engelmann & Bereiter) and material deprivation also create additional challenges for some communities.
Remember: Some ethnic minority groups actually outperform white students, showing that ethnicity intersects with class and gender in complex ways that simple stereotypes can't explain.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Social Class and Academic Success
Social class remains the biggest predictor of educational achievement - bigger than gender or ethnicity. Working-class students face barriers both inside and outside school that middle-class students rarely encounter.
Internal factors include setting and streaming systems that often disadvantage working-class pupils (Hargreaves and Ball). Teachers frequently have lower expectations for these students, creating self-fulfilling prophecies (Rosenthall & Jacobsen). Anti-school subcultures can develop as a response to academic failure, though researchers like Fuller and Woods show these relationships aren't straightforward.
External factors are equally powerful. Material deprivation affects everything from diet to housing quality, whilst Bernstein's research on language codes shows how working-class speech patterns can clash with school expectations. Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital explains how middle-class families pass on advantages through knowledge, skills, and cultural experiences that schools value.
Think about it: Working-class parents care just as much about their children's education, but they often lack the cultural knowledge and resources to navigate the education system effectively.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Social Inequality
Most popular content in Sociology
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user