Report into teachers’ perceptions of boys and young men launches

Posted on 16 February 2026 • Education, languages and health

A report into perceptions of boys and young men has been published, aiming to consider the way they are seen by teachers, particularly those from working-class backgrounds.

The research, titled Dignity, respect and meaningful engagement with boys in the classroom was co-authored by Dr Jon Rainford, Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies at The Open University (OU).

The report was created in collaboration with Dr Alex Blower (Arts University Bournemouth) for Boys Impact, an organisation dedicated to addressing the gap in educational outcomes for boys and young men who receive Free School Meals. The research was launched at a House of Commons event hosted by Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchen.

This followed an earlier debate in the Commons on the gaps in educational outcomes for working class boys and young men.

Despite two decades of policy attention, attainment gaps for boys eligible for Free School Meals remain considerable. Nationally, only 24% achieve a grade 9–5 in GCSE English and Maths, with gaps in progression to Higher Education also stark.

Challenging the narrative

The report highlights three central insights. Firstly, that there is a disconnect between teacher perceptions and young men’s experiences.

While 90% of teachers believe they create environments grounded in dignity and respect, young men frequently describe respect as inconsistent, compliance‑driven, and transactional.

Secondly, the misaligned definitions of respect: while many educators equate respect with rule‑following, students emphasise empathy, fairness, and relational authenticity as the real markers of respect.

Finally, the report tackled the issue of boys not feeling listened to. Although teachers report strong active‑listening practice, young men often experience interactions as tokenistic or focused narrowly on academic performance, rather than their broader lives, identities and pressures.

To address these areas, the report sets out a series of recommendations for educators, school leaders and policymakers. For example, taking proactive steps to understand how boys and young men experience learning in a classroom setting and considering how everyday actions may impact upon the ability to cultivate mutual respect.

Dr Jon Rainford commented on the research:

“In the media, young men are often portrayed as perpetrators in waiting.

“This research challenges that narrative and shows how developing better relationships with young men is key to being able to support them.”

You can read the full report online.

Header image: Freepik