Commenting on the report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group
(APPG) on social mobility, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the
Association of School and College Leaders, said:
“The report makes several good recommendations which merit
detailed consideration, including the idea of encouraging schools
to spend the pupil premium on teacher development, and better
incentives for teachers in challenging schools.
“It highlights the success of London schools and this is a great
example of what can be achieved. But we must also recognise that
circumstances differ from one area to another, and that solutions
can only be found by understanding local context and factors and
delivering targeted support.
“If we are to truly tackle the attainment gap between rich and
poor, we need to address the factors beyond the school gates, the
impact of entrenched, generational disadvantage on the lives and
aspirations of many families. We need joined-up social and
economic policies which restore hope to blighted communities.
“Schools and colleges must also be funded properly. Over the past
few years they have suffered real-terms cuts which have made it
increasingly difficult to provide the additional support their
most vulnerable learners require. The government must live up to
its rhetoric on social mobility by giving them the money they
need to support these young people.”
