Lesson Plan

• Describe the key concepts of ethnicity, educational attainment and the achievement gap.
• Explain how cultural capital, structural factors, interactionist perspectives and institutional racism shape ethnic disparities in education.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of these explanations using UK empirical data.
• Assess the effectiveness of current policy responses such as pupil‑premium funding and culturally responsive curricula.
• Apply sociological analysis to answer exam‑style questions on ethnicity and attainment.

• Projector and screen for slides/diagram
• Printed handout of the UK attainment data table
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes for group brainstorming
• Laptop with internet access
• Worksheet with case‑study scenarios

Begin with a striking headline about recent GCSE gaps between ethnic groups to hook interest. Ask students what they already know about why such gaps might exist, linking to prior lessons on social inequality. Outline today’s success criteria: identify key theories, interpret data, and critique policy responses.

1. Do‑now (5’): Quick quiz on key concepts (ethnicity, attainment, achievement gap).
2. Mini‑lecture (10’): Overview of Bourdieu’s cultural capital, structuralist and interactionist explanations, and institutional racism.
3. Data analysis activity (12’): In pairs, examine the handed‑out DfE table, create a simple bar chart, and note patterns.
4. Group discussion (10’): Each pair shares one structural and one interactionist factor they think most explains the patterns.
5. Evaluation task (8’): Using a two‑column T‑chart, list strengths and limitations of the explanations.
6. Policy response brainstorm (8’): Small groups design a brief policy proposal, record on sticky notes, and place on the board.
7. Whole‑class synthesis (5’): Teacher summarises key links and highlights exam‑style question expectations.

Recap the main theories and how the data support them, reminding students of the success criteria. Ask for one‑sentence exit tickets: “What is the most persuasive explanation for the ethnic attainment gap?” Assign homework to answer one of the provided exam questions using evidence from today’s lesson.