Navigating neoliberal school spaces: Parent and school staff perspectives on racially disproportional school exclusions in England

Abstract

This article uses phenomenology and critical race theory to explore educators’, parents’, and education social workers’ experiences with policies and discipline practices in English schools. Critical race theory was used to center the significance of race and neoliberal school reforms on disparities, while phenomenological principles were applied to understand participant lived experiences in these settings. Participant perspectives were captured using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Findings indicate that pressurized school environments and racial bias fostered racialized neoliberalism and hindered how education social workers and pastoral carer workers advocated for students at risk of school exclusion.