Pupil identities and subcultures

Question 1

What are the two school subcultures identified by Mac and Ghail?

Answer 1

Academic achievers - seek educational success through traditional subjects e.g maths, english
New enterprisers - those who reject traditional curriculum and study subjects such as business and computing which they see as a route to economic success

Question 2

What are 2 factors that lead to the formation of subcultures identified by Lacey

Answer 2

Differentiation - categorising students based on percieved ability e.g streaming
Polarisation - moving from one extreme of the other as a response e.g anti school or pro school

Question 3

How does the ethnocentric curriculum outlined by Ball shape pupil identities

Answer 3

The current curriculum is focused on white middle class British culture. This makes ethnic minorities feel excluded

Question 4

How does school environments outlined by Reay shape pupil identities?

Answer 4

Students align their ability based on the type of school they attend. E.g pupils from poor performing schools are more likely to join anti school subcultures

Question 5

How does symbolic violence, outlined by Archer, shape pupil identities?

Answer 5

Schools impose symbolic violence against students whose identities are shaped by hyper - hetrosexual feminine behaviour or designer brands. This suggests that school is not for them.

Question 6

How do uniforms shape pupils identities?

Answer 6

Uniforms reinforce genders roles where girls are expected to wear skirts and blouses while boys wear ties and trousers.