Carol Vincent, UCL Institute of Education, discusses the two-year period (June 2009-June 2011) research focusing on 62 parents of Black Caribbean heritage. All had children between the ages of 8 and 18 (an age range that spans key decision-making points in the English education system). Thirteen fathers were included in the sample, in addition the team re-interviewed 15 parents, giving us a total of 77 in-depth interviews including questions about their experiences of the education system, their aspirations for their children’s futures and how their experiences are shaped by race and social class. Prof. Carol Vincent Dr Nicola Rollock Prof Stephen Ball Prof David Gillborn