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
However, the scale of the challenge is significant, and much of the detail is still to be seen and worked through. Resourcing will be critical. We’ll be engaging, and continue to push for the provisions we think will make the biggest difference to the families and young people we have work with.
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Overall, the ambition here is undeniable. If it succeeds, the prize is a system that combines high standards with higher inclusion — and delivers genuine opportunity for the least advantaged.
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Too many young people feel disconnected from school. The Paper signals a shift: broadening aspects of the curriculum, strengthening access to extracurricular activities (often a powerful driver of attendance), and rebuilding relationships between schools, parents and communities.
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Ambition 3: Improve engagement and participation — without diluting standards. (also helps 1 and 2)
A denser curriculum, frequent testing and high-stakes exams have created a more pressurised and less forgiving environment. Persistent absence remains high.
...while retaining an adapted EHCP framework for those with the highest needs. Crucially, this is backed by multi-billion pound investment — recognising that reform requires building a new system while the old one continues to operate, and rebuilding parental trust as change happens.
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0EHCPs have become the gateway to support, forcing parents into adversarial processes and favouring families with the knowledge and resources to navigate them. The proposal is to expand capacity within mainstream schools so more children can be supported there...
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Ambition 2: Reset SEND provision.
The number of children identified with SEND has risen sharply, driven in part by increasing mental health needs and autism diagnoses. The system is overloaded.
Ambition 1: Halve the disadvantage gap by 2040. After narrowing modestly between 2010 and 2018, the attainment gap between rich and poor pupils widened again through the pandemic and cost of living crisis. A pledge to halve the gap is bold and welcome, but delivery resourcing key.
23.02.2026 15:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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.
15.01.2026 07:51 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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
08.01.2026 17:01 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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.
05.01.2026 17:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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. 👇
25.10.2025 17:39 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The right decision in my view - to provide some financial relief to unis and remove ambiguity going forward. 👇
20.10.2025 20:38 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
...and overall can navigate the system more easily to get their kids the support they need.
20.10.2025 06:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The middle classes are also more likely to spend money on their EHCP application.
20.10.2025 06:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Poorer families wait longer for a diagnosis - whereas the middle classes pay for a private diagnosis to speed things up.
20.10.2025 06:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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!
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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.
