‘You just need to work harder’: Misalignments between the rhetoric of social mobility and education for social justice

Examining the entanglement of democracy and social justice in education relationship to mobility, this paper critiques individualising nature mobility policy discourse as inimical human flourishing a public good. The rhetoric which responsibilises individuals for their success, without due regard systemic changes needed enable societal barriers experienced disproportionately by some groups society, is detrimental justice. A conception pathway must be located wider vision civic engagement more inclusive fairer society. Yet at local level has been eroded, illustrated example an evolving model school governance England. As corporatist, market driven reform, exemplifies how democratic ties between schools with communities can undermined. Social opportunities, access participation society becomes fantasy when riven inequalities, lacks necessary conditions links community renewal are downplayed.