In December 2021 Simon called for local authorities to address boys failing in education. Speaking in relation to his own experience, he said: “as a drop out myself growing up, I could of very easily got wrapped up in gangs and crime, but it was skateboarding that kept me on the straight and narrow. I used to sell my own skateboarding DVDs and this gave me a thirst for being my own boss.” “When you are brought up poor on a council estate, the only thing you are interested in is how to escape poverty, and to most people that involves making money. [5] He also stated that “had my school taught me how to start a business – ‘how to stand on my own two feet’ – then I probably wouldn’t have dropped out. [5]
Simon says we need “More technical, entrepreneurial, economics and business teaching is needed to address “our boys failing in education ”. Currently working class boys are at the bottom of the education attainment ladder and are three times more likely to be expelled then to go to University.
