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School attainment is generally believed to be correlated positively with participation in adult learning. The paper explores evidence from Northern Ireland that suggests an inverse relationship is also possible under certain circumstances. In Northern Ireland high school attainment co-exists with low participation in adult learning. The paper considers evidence suggesting that the existence of strong social networks, shared norms and value, and a high level of trust may be a contributory factor to this divergent pattern. While there is a strong social consensus around the academic schooling of young people in Northern Ireland, this 'social capital' both provides an alternative to formal participation in adult learning and a legitimation for low aspirations among adults.