What works to get disadvantaged students onto the pathways that are proven to lead to upwards mobility and to stay on those pathways (including helping those who are not in education, employment, or training - NEET) and raising ambition where needed? At what age are interventions most effective?
Background
DfE research interests for this pillar of the Opportunity Mission include enabling learners to make decisions that are informed by understanding the opportunities and support available, especially participation in further and higher education, and how continuing education affects their future opportunities. We also need to explore how our sectors can best prepare learners to take advantage of those opportunities, including in secondary education. We are especially interested in practices in further and higher education that engage less researched groups, such as those with care experience, those with SEND, experience of Alternate Provision, and children with a history of offending. However, this topic is not specific to further and higher education; for example, how different occupations and opportunities are conveyed to children at pre-school and school will influence their willingness to consider those paths in later life. (For brevity, please read all references to children as encompassing both children and young people where appropriate.)
Next steps
Get in touch with research.engagement@education.gov.uk
Related UKRI funded projects
-
Inclusive higher education learning outcomes for rural and township youth: developing a multi-dimensional capabilities-based higher education index
South African higher education (HE) is characterised by inequalities of access, participation and success, and hence youth disadvantage, yet it is also seen as central to economic development and social mobility. The aim...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on disadvantaged youth in higher education, exploring pathways to learning outcomes and raising ambition, which aligns with the question's objectives.
-
Improving support for sixth form students' post-school choice making and transitions into further study and work
This fellowship aims to contribute to research-informed policy, practice and public debate to ensure that all school sixth formers receive high quality support for their post-school destinations, whether that choice is u...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
While the project focuses on support for sixth form students, it partially addresses the question by contributing to research-informed policy and practice for post-school transitions.
-
Community Catalyst
There is a growing demand to map the journeys of young people through school; further and higher education; employment; healthcare; criminal justice and other systems that are an intrinsic part of our social life. Doing ...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
The project aims to review the evidence base on youth transitions and develop a research agenda to improve outcomes, partially addressing the question's objectives.