Social Mobility: School/University Students

Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 March 2017.

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Photo of Danny Kinahan Danny Kinahan UUP, South Antrim 12:00, 20 March 2017

What steps she is taking to enhance social mobility for school and university students.

Photo of Justine Greening Justine Greening Minister for Women and Equalities, The Secretary of State for Education

I put social mobility at the heart of everything my Department does. Through our plans to create more good school places and transform teaching, combined with new legislation to support greater access to university and investment in technical education, we aim to ensure that where a student comes from does not determine where they get to in life.

Photo of Danny Kinahan Danny Kinahan UUP, South Antrim

At the all-party group on universities the other day, we had an excellent presentation from Sunderland University on all aspects of helping to improve social mobility. Can we ensure that that stretches down to all types of schools—academies, grammars and secondary—and that we learn from each other, particularly in the devolved institutions?

Photo of Justine Greening Justine Greening Minister for Women and Equalities, The Secretary of State for Education

Indeed; I fully agree. The Higher Education and Research Bill will enable us to do more to widen access and increase the participation of these sorts of students. Of course, the “Schools that work for everyone” consultation document is all about making sure that universities, alongside grammars, faith schools and independent schools, can play a stronger role in lifting attainment for all.