Transitions: exploring aspirations of BME Muslim youth exiting compulsory education

This paper presents insights from a qualitative case study in Glasgow, Scotland, using semi-structured paired interviews to explore the aspirations of BME Muslim young people labelled by policy as requiring More Choices, More Chances as they prepare to leave compulsory education. The young people were identified by their schools and affiliated agencies as having the propensity to fall out of education, employment and training upon exiting compulsory education, therefore requiring support to transition from compulsory education to a positive destination of further or higher education, employment or training. The study found that five of the 11 young people perceived themselves to be treated differently from other students in school, where they were overlooked, ignored, discriminated against and offered limited support with studies and transition. Three young people spoke of conflict and miscommunication, but were supported with their studies and transition, and were not aware of any discrimination from their teachers. Three students chose not to answer questions. This paper adds to evidence in England that although the Muslim population is diverse, and there is no single Muslim ‘experience’, young Muslims face similar challenges of ‘othering’ in Scotland.