Raising Aspirations Margot James MP

“Aspirations for success are high among the majority of young people but there seems to be a disparity between young people from different socio-economic backgrounds in levels of knowledge and confidence about routes into professional careers.” The Rt Hon Alan Milburn Fair Access to Professional Careers May 2012 “The mission for this government is to build an aspiration nation...to unleash and unlock the promise in all our people” Prime Minister David Cameron Speech to Conservative Party Conference October 2012

Skills Black Country West Midlands England % of KS4 pupils attaining 5+ A*- C GCSEs inc English & Maths 56.6%57.4%59% % of working age population with no qualifications 18.6%15.1%11.1% % of working population qualified to degree level 19.1%26%31.1% The Black Country is underperforming on the skills front Source: Office for National Statistics

Employment Black Country West Midlands England % of working age population in employment 63.2%67.5%70.4% % of working age population classed as workless 17.4%13.7%11.9% % of 16-24s claiming JSA11.4%-6.2% % of those claiming JSA that have no formal qualifications 12%-9.6% Consequence – poor employment levels Source: Office for National Statistics

Aspirations - Aims 1)Raising aspirations 2)Combating stereotypes 3)Developing relevant skills 4)Securing greater employer involvement

Aim 1: Raising Aspirations To raise young peoples’ awareness of careers in: ▫Professions ▫Industry & manufacturing ▫Financial services ▫Other service sectors ▫Advanced technology ▫Food & Farming Relevant information: ▫Qualifications ▫Personal qualities & confidence ▫GCSE and A level course choices ▫Extracurricular activities

Aim 1: Raising Aspirations The maintained/independent school divide must be bridged Statistic 1: only 7% of the population attend independent schools, but the privately educated account for more than half of the top level of most professions, including 70% of high court judges, 54% of top journalists and 54% of CEOs of FTSE 100 companies. Statistic 2: the UK’s leading employers target an average of only 19 universities. Source: Fair Access to Professional Careers. Source: The Russell Group

Aim 2: Combating Stereotypes Challenge: 1)Negative connotations of manufacturing 2)Gender stereotypes 3)Dismissal of Russell Group universities 4)Degree value

Aim 2: Combating Stereotypes Manufacturing is wrongly seen as a low-skill, dirty occupation

Aim 3: Developing Relevant Skills “Eight in ten businesses don’t believe school leavers are ready for work and say more should be done to help them prepare for employment” - Federation of Small Businesses 22 August 2012 Relevant skills: 1)Leadership 2)Teamwork 3)Interview 4)Presentational 5)Marketing 6)Problem-solving Young people need to be more work-ready

Aspirations - Proposals 1)Careers Days 2)Dragons Den Competition 3)Business Visits 4)Constituency Essay Competition 5)Student Mentoring Scheme 6)Universities Days 7)University Visits

Progress so far - LSE Half-term tours of the School School open days March and June 2013 ‘A Day on Campus’ ▫Taster course for Year 12 students ▫Tour and series of short lectures Organised in association with University of London ▫Can arrange similar with UCL and Imperial College LSE participation in University Day in Stourbridge

Progress so far - Oxford Commitment to a programme for teachers ▫Run jointly with Cambridge ▫Aims to train teachers in:  Offering course selection guidance to pupils  Delivering careers advice to pupils Programme for pupils ▫Run through Oriel College

Next Steps Would schools nominate one representative each to contribute to Raising Aspirations taskforce? ▫Identify needs of different year groups and tailor content ▫Agree plan ▫Inform parents & students ▫Margot to secure sponsorship  Materials  Transport  Mentors ▫Margot to access universities & businesses