Young people from low-income backgrounds are more likely to go on
to higher education after attending a further education college
than a sixth form with a similar intake, new research from the
Sutton Trust has found.
The research – conducted by academics from the Centre for
Vocational Education Research - tracked two cohorts of
pupils who took their GCSEs in 2002/03 and 2010/11 into
university and the workplace. It found that once the
characteristics of the pupils who attend FE compared to sixth
form are taken into account, FE colleges perform strongly for
disadvantaged pupils in terms of progression to Higher Education.
The research also found that there are no differences in the
earnings outcomes between those who attend FE and schools at age
16, controlling for background and attainment of the individual
and the institutions’ intake. However, at both FE colleges and
schools there are significant gaps in earnings outcomes between
those eligible for free school meals and their more advantaged
classmates. At age 28 those who were from poorer homes who
attended a sixth form school or college earn on average 11% less
than their wealthier peers - but for students who attended
college, this increases to 15%. This could be in part due to the
nature of the subjects studied and career paths taken, as well as
factors associated with networks and cultural capital.
The research also found that disadvantaged students at college
are more likely to be studying for lower qualifications than
wealthier students. There is little progression for those
studying at low levels: the majority of those studying for a
Level 1 or 2 (equivalent to GCSE level or lower) qualification at
post-16 had not gained any further qualifications a decade later.
Many such students become ‘stuck’, particularly those not passing
GCSE maths and English.
However, given that young people who are eligible for free school
meals are more likely to attend a further education college, the
report emphasises the importance of FE for social mobility. A
focus on this sector is vital if we want to close the gap in
educational and career outcomes.
- The long-term underfunding of post-16 education compared to
schools should be reversed in this autumn’s Comprehensive
Spending Review.
- The Trust is also calling for an extension of pupil premium
funding to 16-19 year-olds to ensure that disadvantaged pupils
are properly supported in their studies.
- The cohort of students currently in post-16 education have
faced huge disruption and cancelled GCSE exams. There should be
greater investment in education recovery funding for this group,
and an extension of the National Tutoring Programme to post-16.
Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chair of the Sutton Trust
and chair of the Education Endowment Foundation, said:
“Disadvantage continues after the age of 16. Students from a
low-income background must be supported at this crucial stage of
their education.
Further education colleges play a vital role in providing a
bridge between school and university or the workplace. It’s
crucial that colleges are well-funded so that they can give the
best support they can, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of
Colleges, said:
“The findings from the Sutton Trust reinforce what we know about
further education colleges - that they do a great job supporting
large numbers of young people who have struggled in school to be
able to achieve and progress, but they do that with less funding
than is needed. If the Government is serious about levelling up
then it needs to invest more, as the Sutton Trust recommends, in
those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds so that colleges
can provide the extra support needed.
Sadly, the pandemic has exacerbated the outcomes gap between
wealthier students and those from poorer backgrounds. Worryingly,
for disadvantaged post-16 students who have the least amount of
time left in education there is an urgent need for education
recovery funding to give them the best chance of succeeding. The
comprehensive spending review next week is the government’s
chance to begin to close those gaps, over the long term.”
