‘A social injustice we cannot ignore’
Teach First CEO, Russell Hobby, says the government must take action to address career education inequalities.
13.2% of young people are not in education, employment or training – the highest number in over a decade –? ‘a crisis that should alarm us all,' Hobby stated.
A large proportion of these young people are from disadvantaged backgrounds, presenting ‘a social injustice we cannot ignore’.?
Speaking to Digest, Hobby calls for ‘urgent policy reforms’ and investment from the government to better support schools and improve the life chances of England’s most vulnerable pupils.
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Ensuring equal opportunities for future careers
Hobby outlined the key priorities in the short and long term for ensuring England’s most disadvantaged pupils have fair access to career opportunities.
In the short term, Hobby advised targeted funding for schools in disadvantaged areas and expanding work experience opportunities and partnerships with local businesses.?
Through targeting funding and opportunities for England’s most vulnerable pupils, Hobby stated this could broaden careers education and provide them with the resources required to ‘improve the basic foundations of our schools’.
Long-term priorities, Hobby advised, are increasing teacher pay and flexibility, strengthening the workforce and weighting funding towards those educating in areas of disadvantage.?
He called for teaching to be ‘positioned as a profession where the brightest minds can make a real difference and truly unlock every child’s full potential’.?
The ‘structural inequalities’ within the profession must be addressed, Hobby explained, so that teachers can be allowed to teach pupils to the best of their abilities.?
‘Our call is for the government to provide the additional resources so urgently needed to improve the life chances of the nation’s most disadvantaged pupils.’
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The gap in career education can be life-limiting
‘All young people deserve strong career guidance to succeed beyond school, but for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, this need is especially critical,’ Hobby emphasised.
One-third of pupils in years 9 to 11 receive career advice from their parents. Hobby explained that for England’s poorest pupils, they are less likely to receive help and so it is vital that school leaders help to close this gap.?
However many schools, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, lack funding to be able to provide pupils with a holistic career education, therefore limiting the awareness of pathways available to them.?
School leaders must address the career opportunities gap for their most vulnerable learners to improve their life chances.?
Teach First offers fully-funded training for leaders to equip them with the tools to deliver high-quality career guidance and expand opportunities for every child.
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What next?
‘By focusing on these priorities,’ Hobby concluded, ‘we can create a future where no pupil’s potential is limited by their postcode or personal circumstances.’
What are your thoughts? Continue the conversation in the comments below, or contact the author Natalie H. , Leadership and Inclusion Writer and Editor, via:
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