The Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, has raised urgent concerns about boys falling behind in education. Highlighting alarming statistics, she warned that “we risk leaving behind an entire generation of young men” due to a lack of targeted support for boys who are disproportionately suspended, expelled, and identified with special educational needs.
Ms Hobhouse emphasized the importance of action: “Persistent underachievement among boys, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is a serious issue that demands our attention. Without a focused strategy, many boys will disengage from education, leading to lasting effects on their futures and society as a whole.”
She called on the Government to develop a comprehensive plan that directly addresses boys' educational challenges while ensuring all children receive the support they need. Ms Hobhouse also underscored the needs of neurodiverse students, noting that around 20% of young learners—including girls—are neurodiverse, yet current curricula frequently fail to accommodate them. “A truly inclusive education system must support every child’s unique needs if we want to improve outcomes,” she said.
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National data paints a stark picture: boys are almost twice as likely as girls to be excluded from school. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, 600,401 boys were suspended compared to 354,551 girls. Boys were also expelled at more than twice the rate—7,695 boys versus 3,190 girls. The Centre for Social Justice’s recent ‘Lost Boys’ report reveals that this gap persists throughout schooling. For example, boys score half a grade lower on average in GCSEs and trail girls by over one and a half grades at A-level. In universities, female students outnumber males by a ratio of three to two.
Boys are also disproportionately represented among students with special educational needs (SEN). In 2024-2025, 71.4% of pupils with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans were boys. Although the government reports this disparity has decreased recently, the issue remains significant.
Locally in Bath and North East Somerset, the gender attainment gap has narrowed but still exists. In the 2021-22 academic year, 59% of girls achieved grades 9-5 in their GCSEs, compared to 54% of boys.
Ms Hobhouse’s call to action highlights the urgent need for targeted policies to prevent an entire generation of boys from falling behind and to fulfill the promise of an equitable education system for all.