Today, Telford MP Lucy Allan chaired a Social Mobility roundtable on ‘Making the Most of Your Grades’. The event focused on the "progress gap" where despite obtaining the same grades, young people from the least advantaged backgrounds, make the least progress in taking their next steps.
The areas of discussion involved identifying the key actions that the Government should take in order to ensure students get the most from their grades and the role of the exam system in closing the ‘progression gap’.
The event included a presentation given by James Lloyd, Head of Policy for the examination board AQA, who outlined research into the current academic state of students across secondary education age groups. Also in attendance was a number of senior members of AQA, including Chief Executive, Toby Salt and Director of International and Corporate Affairs, Sadie Visick. Other attendees included a range of social mobility groups that focus on education and young people.
This event represented a vital opportunity for education experts from a diverse range of institutions to offer their insight into the issues of 16-18 year old academic grades and social mobility.
Lucy Allan MP said:
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to chair this important debate. As a member of the Education Select Committee, ensuring all young people can make most of their potential is an area on which I have focused in Parliament and is of vital concern to young people in my constituency.
“We must tackle the barriers that hold back young people from less advantaged backgrounds.
“I want every young person in Telford to make the most of their potential and their grades, irrespective of their background. It is vital that our education system, employers and Government work together to ensure young people develop the social capital they need to enable them to progress and achieve.”
Photo - Lucy Allan with Professor Toby Salt, Chief Executive of AQA