Boys v School

The Roots of Aspiration

If you hang around with two drinkers, you'll become the third. If you hang around with two smokers, you'll become the third. If you hang around two people who want to do well in life, you'll become the third. This is the wisdom that Jay passes on at the start of our fourth and final episode of Boys v School. It introduces another vital piece of the puzzle that we’ve been trying to put together – on why working class boys are falling behind in school, and what we can do about it. In The Roots of Aspiration we look at how boys’ closest social relationships shape their values, identity and vision for the future. A ⁠Dreamscheme⁠ [https://www.dreamschemeni.org/] media project funded by LFT Charitable Trust. Produced by Stephen Mullan (follow Stephen's writing at RethinkingYouth.com [https://rethinkingyouth.com/])

The Class Divide

As we try to make sense of why some boys fall behind in school, we have to talk about environment. Specifically, we need to talk about class. Because when you look at the data, it's clear it's working class boys who are struggling most. Produced by Stephen Mullan (rethinkingyouth.com [(https://rethinkingyouth.com/]) A Dreamscheme [https://www.dreamschemeni.org/] media project funded by LFT Charitable Trust.

They Don’t 'Get' Me

In this episode, we investigate the importance of relationships and respect in boys' experience of school. Jay and Carl continue to share their story, while Dr Andy Hamilton shares some of the learnings from the University of Ulster's 'Taking Boys Seriously' research project. Produced by Stephen Mullan (⁠rethinkingyouth.com⁠ [https://rethinkingyouth.com/]) A Dreamscheme media project funded by LFT Charitable Trust. For more about the 'Taking Boys Seriously' project: * The Boy Quadrant [https://www.theboyquadrant.org] * Research Project Page [https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/social-work-and-social-policy/research-themes/taking-boys-seriously]

Boredom is the Enemy

In this opening episode, we hear the stories of Jay and Carl — and dig into why so many boys are switching off in the classroom. Professor Noel Purdy from the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement helps us understand how curriculum and assessment methods might play a role, and what we can do to re-engage boys in school. Produced by Stephen Mullan (read his essay at ⁠rethinkingyouth.com⁠ [https://rethinkingyouth.com]) A Dreamscheme media project funded by LFT Charitable Trust.

Trailer

Boys v School premieres Thursday 22nd May 2025 Read an essay [https://rethinkingyouth.com/p/boys-v-school] by host Stephen Mullan