Schools 'can play more of a role in improving social mobility'
UK schools have been urged to address the persistent gap in attainment that exists between children from richer and poorer backgrounds.
A report from the Social Mobility Commission has examined the results of efforts to improve social mobility in Britain over the last two decades, indicating that new approaches may be needed to make significant progress.
Looking specifically at schools, it was noted that reforms to schools have yielded success in improving results and raising standards, but also that two-thirds of children on free school meals do not get good GCSE grades.
Additionally, significant progress in reducing the attainment gap at primary school level has not been reflected in secondary schools, with no solution in sight for closing the divide among GCSE and A level students. It was also noted that geographical inequality among the poorest children in England has increased in the last two decades, as attainment in London schools has greatly outpaced the rest of the country.
To address this, the commission called for a new target of closing the attainment gap at GCSE level to be adopted by lawmakers, with inspection regimes and resource allocation to be adjusted to reflect this goal.
It was also suggested that new incentives be introduced to attract and retain the best teachers to needy schools - including a new emphasis on continuing professional development - while the development of a more balanced curriculum that incorporates social and emotional learning and careers advice was also recommended.
Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said: "There is hunger for change. The policies of the past have brought some progress, but many are no longer fit for purpose in our changing world. New approaches are needed if Britain is to become a fairer and more equal country."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£80 - 100 per day
Location free text
Wandsworth
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wandsworth
Description
Male Secondary Teaching Assistant Location: England, Greater London, WandsworthJob Type: Temporary, Part-Time hours£80 - £100 Per dayJob Duties: Supporting the classroom teacher in the delivery
Reference
RL128934732
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£80 - 110 per day
Location free text
Clapham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater London
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Secondary Location: ClaphamJob Type: Temporary, Part-TimeSalary: £80 - £110 Per dayJob Duties: Supporting secondary school students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in c
Reference
RL102931
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£25 per day
Location free text
Hartlepool
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Other
Location
Hartlepool
Description
1:1 tutor required in HartlepoolThere are two seperate opportunities to work in the home with a secondary student in the morning or afternoon. You must have experience with SEN students andbe cofortab
Reference
hartsd24
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Levenshulme
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Exciting Opportunity for a Science Teacher in Levenshulme!Are you a passionate and dedicated Science Teacher looking for a rewarding role? Teaching Personnel is pleased to present a full-time positio
Reference
326569844864
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£143 - 210 per day
Location free text
Bedford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Geography
Location
Bedford
Description
Geography TeacherApplications from ECTs welcomeStart date: ASAP - July 2024, possibly into new academic yearContract: Full TimeLocation: BedfordshireTeaching Personnel are the UK's largest Education R
Reference
geogbeds2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Proof required and dependent on experience
Location free text
St Albans
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Design and Technology
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Design and Technology TeacherTeaching Personnel are the UK's largest Education Recruitment Company, with over 80 branches across England and Wales and over 20 years experience supporting schools acros
Reference
Engineering and DT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£419 - 500 per week
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Manchester
Description
Graduate teaching assistant Manchester -Have you recently finished your university degree and looking to start your teaching career?If you feel that you have the necessary transferable skills, Teachin
Reference
13j
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£550 - 700 per week
Location free text
Derbyshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Derbyshire
Description
Day To Day Supply Teacher High PeakTeaching Personnel are looking for a Supply Teacher in the High Peak area as soon as possible.Overview: £550 - £700 per week, dependant on experience.CPD and traini
Reference
12j
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£83.85 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Lancaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Lancashire
Description
Position: Higher Level Teaching Assistant Location: LancasterStart Date: 3rd June 2024 Contract Type: Full-time, temporary-to-permanent A well-regarded secondary school in Lancaster is seeking to hire
Reference
EPLANHLTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£28,000 - 43,685 per year
Location free text
Tameside
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Tameside
Description
Early Career Teacher opportunities available. Are you currently looking for your first position as a newly qualified ECT?Teaching Personnel are currently working with a number of schools in the Tamesi
Reference
11j
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job