Press release

million+ comments on Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission’s ‘Cracking the Code’ report

06 Oct 2014

The university think tank million+ has welcomed the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission’s (SMCPC) ‘Cracking the Code’ report. The publication highlights a significant disparity between the performance of disadvantaged students and their counterparts, indicating social mobility in schools still needs improving to narrow the gap.

Welcoming the report, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think tank million+ said:

“Social mobility is not just about progression to a small number of universities but the Commission is right to encourage schools to raise their game in terms of pupil attainment.

“However, schools have been deluged by education and qualification reforms and Ofsted is now seen as a toxic brand rather than a supporter of teacher and school improvement.

“The report provides further evidence that Ministers need to call time on the whirlwind of educational initiatives launched by Michael Gove in favour of a more measured approach.

“This includes teacher education where the role of university education departments in supporting high quality teaching and student success has been limited by government reforms”.  

ENDS

Notes to Editors
1. For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Rochelle Owusu- Antwi, Press and Communications Officer, million+ on 020 7717 1658 / 07527 336 795 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk.
2. million+ is a leading university think-tank. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk.
3. The full Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission report ‘Cracking The Code’ can be found here.