Organisations, practitioners, educators, parents, researchers and community groups are being invited to help shape the UK’s first Boys’ Education Commission by contributing evidence on the challenges facing boys and young men throughout education.
The independent Commission has launched a national Call for Evidence, inviting people with experience of supporting boys and young men to share what is working, where challenges remain and what changes could make the biggest difference.
The consultation is open until Monday 14 September 2026.
Why this matters
The Commission is taking a broad view of education, looking beyond academic attainment to explore how boys develop confidence, belonging, identity and purpose throughout childhood and early adulthood.
Alongside schools and colleges, the Commission is particularly interested in the role played by:
- Youth work
- Community organisations
- Sports clubs
- Mentoring programmes
- Arts and creative activities
- Faith organisations
- Volunteering
- Digital and online communities
For organisations across Leeds’ voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, this presents an opportunity to share the impact of work already taking place within local communities.
Many organisations already support boys and young men through youth services, mentoring, creative activities, mental health programmes, sports and community projects. The Commission wants to hear about these experiences alongside evidence from schools and education providers.
What is the Commission looking at?
The inquiry will consider a wide range of issues affecting boys, including:
- Educational attainment, attendance and behaviour.
- Identity, belonging and purpose.
- The influence of social media and the online world.
- Informal community spaces, including youth clubs and voluntary organisations.
- Relationships, role models and aspirations.
- Mental wellbeing.
- Barriers linked to poverty, SEND, geography and family circumstances.
The Commission says its aim is not simply to understand why some boys are struggling, but to identify practical recommendations that help boys and young men thrive throughout education.
Why the VCSE sector has an important voice
One of the strongest aspects of the consultation is its recognition that education extends far beyond the classroom.
Community organisations often build trusted relationships with young people through mentoring, youth work, sport, arts, volunteering and wellbeing support. These experiences can provide valuable evidence about what helps boys develop resilience, confidence and positive relationships.
For organisations in Leeds, this is an opportunity to highlight approaches that are already making a difference within local communities.
The wider context
The Commission is being chaired by Peter Hyman, former headteacher, education adviser and founder of School 21, and is hosted by the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys (CPRMB).
It follows growing concern around educational outcomes for boys and wider issues affecting young men.
Figures highlighted during the Commission’s launch show that around 553,000 young men are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET)—the highest level recorded for fourteen years.
Alongside gathering written evidence, the Commission will also undertake visits, host discussions with young people and develop recommendations for government and education leaders, with its final report expected in Spring 2027.
Respond to the Call for Evidence
The Call for Evidence is open until 14 September 2026.
Find out more:
Boys’ Education Commission
[https://www.menandboys.org.uk/boys-education-commission/mission]
Submit evidence:
[https://www.menandboys.org.uk/boys-education-commission/callforevidence]
Complete the survey:
[https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68BZT7R]
Learn more about the evidence behind the Commission:
Boys’ Education: Facts and Figures
