The links between social class and academic performance Many theories have been formulated about social class and academic performance and this essay will focus on conflict theory and functionalist theory. examine the links between class and achievement. It will describe and critically analyze different sociological theories of education related to the classroom and apply these theories to educational experiences, structures and practices. The different perspectives will be used to analyze inequality in relation to different social classes in the UK. This essay will also provide evidence of inequality in British education and identify and evaluate key policy developments in educational provision in relation to social class. Functionalist theory focuses on the ways in which the education system as a whole meets the needs of society. It emphasizes the interdependence of the social system and emphasizes the process and behaviors that maintain it. Durkheim (quoted in Haralambos et al: 2000:777) "considered the main function of education to be the transmission of the norms and values ​​of society". Functionalist theory believes that schools should serve intellectual, political and social purposes (Sadovnik et al: 2001). Functionalists believe that schools “promote the value of equal opportunities” by placing pupils in the same situation in the classroom (Haralambos et al: 779). They argue that education classifies students according to their abilities, as argued by Parsons: ... [students'] conduct is judged against the yardstick of school rules; their outcomes are measured by exam results…the same standards are applied to all students regardless of attributed characteristics such as gender, race, family…middle of the paper…will have positive long-term outcomes” ( Haralambos et al 2004: p621). Of course, Start was criticized because its impact on children and their parents was unsatisfactory. "However, it is too early to assess its impact on children's formal education" (ibid). they were created because there is a LINK between class and achievement, for example working class pupils perform worse at school Summary This essay has discussed and critiqued analyzed different social theories of education relating to class, applied these theories to experiences, structures and practices. Addressed different social theories of inequality in relation to social classes. This essay also provided evidence of inequality in British education and ultimately identified and assessed key policy developments in educational provision in relation to social class..