Why it matters
In this section
What’s the problem?
Unfortunately, UK society remains unequal. Class background still influences people’s life chances and compared to other countries, the UK is not "socially mobile".
Only 7% of young people attend private schools yet they are still vastly overrepresented at our leading universities, and in a number of jobs and key professions. The Fair Access to professions report highlights;
- Only 16% of students at the Russell Group of research intensive universities are from lower socio-economic backgrounds
- If social mobility does not improve, the typical professional of the future will have grown up in a family that is richer than 7 out of 10 families.
Research by the Sutton Trust has revealed that 45% of top civil servants, 68% of UK-educated barristers and 75% of judges were educated in independent schools.
What causes it?
The biggest single factor influencing a child’s life chances is the educational background of their parents.
While BrightsideUNIAID can do little to change this, we believe we can make a difference by tackling access to educational opportunities.
Too many young people have no ambition to progress in education beyond 16. We believe that every young person should have access to the information and encouragement they need, so that they are empowered to explore their options for the future.
By inspiring and informing young people, we can support them to develop high ambitions and a clear understanding of how they can achieve them.
Why does it matter?
Not everyone will want to go to university, or become a lawyer or accountant. However, one in three jobs today is professional, and in the next 10 years this is expected to rise to 9 in 10.
If social mobility does not improve, the UK will not have sufficient skilled staff for the new jobs created.
The social consequences of such a scenario are worrying. If low social mobility continues unchecked, the talent of thousands of people from disadvantaged backgrounds will be wasted because of the practical and perceptual barriers they faced.
The result - a socially divisive society which, while diverse, is served by an elite.
At BrightsideUNIAID we believe that:
A fair and equal society is a better society for all.
Your future should be shaped by your potential, not your background
How can we make a difference?
A key to widening access to educational opportunities is access to knowledge. Not all young people have social networks around them to help them navigate their options and make informed choices.
We seek to fill this social capital gap by being a trusted, impartial, independent source of information, advice and guidance.
We seek to help guide young people through the mass of complex decisions and pathways facing them, using mentoring to replicate the advice and support networks the “better off” take for granted.
Everyone should be:
- Inspired – developing ambitions for the future
- Informed – understanding what they need to do to achieve their goals
- Prepared – ready with skills and knowledge to cope with their next steps
If you agree and would like to help us make a difference, please get involved.