Diane Reay, a prominent professor of education at Cambridge University, shares her journey from a working-class background to academia. She discusses the educational challenges faced by working-class children, highlighting systemic inequalities and the detrimental effects of a competitive educational culture. Reay critiques the focus on performativity over genuine learning and emphasizes the need for inclusive education. Her research also sheds light on boys' underachievement and the experiences of marginalized students, advocating for social justice and equitable policies.