Kids not learning basic skills because of AI use is a big concern. The answer is to teach them how to use it properly: as a tool, not a crutch. However, @suttontrust.bsky.social work on this highlights a big digital divide. Polling from @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social @neuunion.bsky.social

Apprenticeship starts up over the last 6 months, mainly driven by higher level: L4 (28k +17%), L5 (20k +23%), L6(20k +6%), L7(26k +50%;). Good news of sorts - but young people under 19 only 24% of starts. The system still isn't delivering for the young. @suttontrust.bsky.social

Surely we can provide school kids with proper lunches? Sounds like a niche point - but feels important to underline good food habits with school kids, and ensure proper nutrition to aid learning. Saving money on school lunches feels short-term and counter productive. @suttontrust.bsky.social

NEET rates are around 2x greater for those with SEN (special educational needs) or from an FSM (free school meals) background: Supporting SEN and closing educational gaps is critical to solving the NEET crisis. @suttontrust.bsky.social (Latest analysis from ONS, albeit based on 2021 data).

We've known for a while that top state schools take 20–30% fewer disadvantaged pupils than live in their local areas. Our latest research shows the same pattern exists for SEND: Advantaged pupils with SEND get into top schools, disadvantaged kids with SEND do not! @suttontrust.bsky.social

Most teachers don't think there is enough provision in school to support kids with SEND. Latest polling from @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social @neuunion.bsky.social Will need to change if schools white paper aims of more mainstream provision for SEND is to work. @suttontrust.bsky.social

Interesting thought from Rishi Sunak at Microsoft AI event today: When young people enter the workforce they'll be managers from day 1: of AI agents, not necessarily people. How do we develop management skills from the get go? Thanks to Microsoft for hosting @suttontrust.bsky.social

At Downing Street early this morning for the launch of the schools White Paper. Three big ambitions in it: 1. Halve the disadvantage gap, 2. Fix a broken SEND system, 3. Improve engagement and attendance. A big deal if it can be delivered... A 🧵 👇 @suttontrust.bsky.social

London Academy of Excellence in Stratford is a massive social mobility driver. Brilliant results, and congrats to all the pupils, head Alex Crossman and team! @suttontrust.bsky.social

In Manchester this morning - with ⁦‪Andy Burnham‬⁩ kicking off creative Manchester report. ‬⁩ Lack of class representation in the arts is still a massive issue. @suttontrust.bsky.social

Important point 👇. FE colleges need more support.

Disappointed to see this from Trinity Hall. The idea that private school kids are better suited to Cambridge is just wrong. The data shows that, and I can also say from personal experience. If this has been mis-represented perhaps someone from the college can clarify. @suttontrust.bsky.social

Brilliant to have kicked off the new year this morning giving a presentation on social mobility at the brilliant London Academy of Excellence school in Stratford. Thanks to head Alex Crossman for hosting.

Digital inclusion is critical to opportunity, particular in the AI economy. In Manchester today speaking alongside Manchester Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social @helenmilner.bsky.social OBE, Baroness Hilary Armstrong and Rob Benson. @suttontrust.bsky.social @mayorofgm.bsky.social

Great to be in a (somewhat wet) Manchester today for the Digital Inclusion summit with @andyburnham.bsky.social #FixTheDigitalDivide @suttontrust.bsky.social

Creative industries have one of the lowest representations of folks from working class backgrounds. 👇

Balanced defence of universities from David Willetts here. 👇

The right decision in my view - to provide some financial relief to unis and remove ambiguity going forward. 👇

Disadvantaged kids are more likely to have SEND needs but LESS likely to get support, leading to a DOUBLE DISADVANTAGE and much worse outcomes. Why? a 🧵 @suttontrust.bsky.social latest research

🗣️ "Middle-class parents have the time, the resources, and the money to be able to fight harder for their children and get the support that they need." Our CEO, @nickharrison73.bsky.social, discussed our research on the SEND system on Sky News this morning with Matt Barbet and Leah Boleto 📺

💬 “Right now, disadvantaged kids with SEND are being failed by a system beset with inconsistency and mind-boggling bureaucracy." @nickharrison73.bsky.social Great coverage of our new research on the SEND system in @theguardian.com ⤵️

Surely it’s a false economy to cut education in prisons. Rehabilitation is right for individuals and society overall! 👇

Opportunity zones and incentives to drive investment and entrepreneurship in the left-behind parts of Britain, consequently improving social mobility where it's needed most. From the Social Mobility Commission. We agree @suttontrust.bsky.social that innovation and growth are key to opportunity.

🥳 We're launching a brand-new Changemaker Ambassador programme! This brand-new initiative will see us equip and empower around 20 alumni from across our different programmes to support our mission. Get to know our ambassadors ⤵️

Outstanding from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com - the best way to get a job is to get a degree. You will almost almost always earn more as well.

All new job seekers are struggling, but having a degree still helps! Critical analysis from ⁦‪John Burn-Murdock. Also why we still support degrees as a great route to social mobility at @suttontrust.bsky.social

Could unused apprenticeship levy be directed to individual plumbers, electricians etc. to help them train the next generation?

Fully agree @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social - The two child cap has to go if we're to tackle child poverty and improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged kids. We all know that scrapping it is the most cost effective way to do this. Anyone out there disagree ??!! @suttontrust.bsky.social

Very good news if true. Child poverty is one of the biggest drivers of lifelong disadvantage. The cap needs to go! @suttontrust.bsky.social

Was a great discussion - and if you haven’t seen it, do look up our report Elitist Britain.

Very much support bringing back maintenance grants for less well off students. 👇

Strong speech by Keir Starmer today - and good announcement on support for further education and apprenticeships - and parity with more academic routes.

It was a great discussion. Thanks to your brilliant panel and everyone who attended :-)

The privately educated are hugely over represented in leadership roles in the media. 👇

Paralympic medallists (73% comprehensive, 20% private school) are more representative of the population than Olympic medallists (52% comp, 33% private). Anyone know why this is? Latest @suttontrust.bsky.social research, Elitist Britain.

Pop stars may have a Diva reputation. But they're actually quite representative of all of us, as 76% went to comprehensive school. Film and TV stars are much more elitist, with only 41% going to a comp, and 32% to private school. Latest @suttontrust.bsky.social report, Elitist Britain.

Police Chiefs and Crime Commissioners are much more representative of the country at large than Army Chiefs. Police = 60% comprehensive education and "only" 21% private school. Army = 63% went to private school. Latest @suttontrust.bsky.social report, Elitist Britain.

Important point. Those with the knowledge and resources more likely to push for a re-mark widening the gap. @suttontrust.bsky.social

Breaking news: Hereditary peers almost all went to private school, a d half to Eton. 😱

Cricket is the most elitist sport in Britain, with 50-60% of top players attending private school (vs. 7% of the population). Football is representative. Olympians in the middle with "only" 20-30% private school. Rugby is split men (elitist) vs. women (representative). @suttontrust.bsky.social

Both Labour deputy leader candidates now talking about scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Doing so is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty - and if it remains child poverty rises. It has to go + must be a spending priority.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) just goes up and up. As the parent of a wonderful SEN kid - I can empathise with the the cost and huge family strain mentioned here. The current SEN system is broken. Provision is inadequate and councils are not funded to provide it. Needs to change!

Senior judges are one of the least representative professions in the country: 62% went to private school (vs. 7% of the population) and 75% attended Oxbridge (vs. 1% of the population). Not good for diversity of thought. Latest @suttontrust.bsky.social report, Elitist Britain.

💬 “In 2025 you can still buy advantage, massively increasing your chance of getting into the most powerful roles in the country.” @nickharrison73.bsky.social Our new research, Elitist Britain, dives deeper into the pathways of the elite, from school to university ⤵️ elitistbritain.suttontrust.com

Privilege at the top of British business. Only 9% of FTSE 100 Chairs attended a comprehensive school (compared to 89% of the population). Whereas 47% went to private school. New @suttontrust.bsky.social report, Elitist Britain.

50% of newspaper columnists attended private school. Might explain all the noise in the press about VAT on fees - a policy which only actually affects 7% of the population. @suttontrust.bsky.social latest report: Elitist Britain.

Private school dominance has actually gone up in some key professions - BBC, Newspaper columnists, Army, Cricket - over the last five years. Whereas the Cabinet is now representative! New @suttontrust.bsky.social research Elitist Britain.

Are kids at private school 5x as smart as those in the state sector? Of course not - but they are 5x as likely to end up in the most powerful and influential positions in Britain today. New @suttontrust.bsky.social research - Elitist Britain.

Private schools still have a vice-like grip on Britain’s elite. We need many more pathways to the top of our society to level the playing field and stop wasting talent. New @suttontrust.bsky.social research 👇