Fighting for Deep Social Justice

Schools have an important role to play in supporting social justice – ensuring that all students, whatever their ability or context, leave school fully prepared to lead fulfilled and purposeful lives. But we need to be clear about what they can and can’t do, the limits of their role and what the evidence tells us. A significant proportion of the attainment difference between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils is affected by non-school factors such as poverty, social dysfunction, poor parenting and engagement and other structural issues that shape social outcomes.

The challenge is to identify those areas where schools can make a real difference to individuals and their opportunities.

SSAT believes that progress will be made by focusing on personalising learning – this will include the basic functions of a school: teaching and learning, curriculum, and support services by school leaders committed to achieving and championing deep social justice.

In the pamphlet, SSAT’s Chief Executive Sue Williamson explains why SSAT is launching this fight and why it’s a critical agenda for schools. The Personalising Learning work of Professor David Hargreaves is revisited and updated to become the underpinning framework for this work, and forthcoming opportunities to get involved in the campaign are outlined. Throughout the pamphlet, there are also several reflective questions which have been designed to guide thinking and spark ideas to help identify new approaches to achieving deep social justice.

“Fighting for Deep Social Justice” is a publication by SSAT (Schools, Students, and Teachers Network), an organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for young people. With a focus on school improvement and innovation, SSAT collaborates with schools and academies in the UK and internationally.