We’re not talking about learning to win cash prizes from the postcode lottery you see advertised on TV. This is about the education of future generations.
So, what is the postcode lottery? Well, as with the real lottery, the outcome is determined by chance. We have no influence over critical factors - like our postcode - that can dictate our success. It is proven that those of us born in certain situations and locations are disadvantaged from the get-go.
The difference in attainment between wealthy and poor students has been reported as up to 40% and the figure is growing (i). However, poor students that make it to further education perform well. Studies have shown that those entering university from low-performing schools tend to have lower qualifications on entry, but there is no significant difference in their performance at university when compared to wealthier students (ii).
This begs the question, where do the problems lie and why are young people from disadvantaged backgrounds less likely to succeed overall?
The problem in education and beyond
Currently, our schools are full of incredible individuals trying their best to improve the prospects of young people. However, they also have their own families and problems to deal with. We cannot let this issue rest on their shoulders alone.
It is no secret that state schools are overcrowded, underfunded and struggling to keep young people engaged. In some areas, student to staff ratios are upwards of 30:1 (iii). This leads to disengagement, apathy and lesson disruption. Teachers are spread so thin that they cannot keep up with the learning requirements for each individual student.
Those of us born into affluent families, and/or wealthy areas are immediately advantaged. There is a greater chance of these families being high-earners, able to afford private education and tutoring for their children. This leaves a sizeable gap between those growing up in impoverished areas and those in more affluent areas.
Many families on the breadline are fragmented and unable to afford basic needs for their children. This bleeds into the lives and expectations that young people have for themselves, shatters their confidence and self-respect. In turn, these factors form an environment where it is difficult for many young people to achieve their academic and career goals.
Confidence
Young people are versatile, capable of developing their skills faster than adults. Many have faced and overcome the built-in economic and societal barriers that would hold them back. So why not all?
The capacity of children to learn and grow is incredible. However, self-doubt is often heavily instilled in their minds. Be it from comparing themselves to their peers or experiencing condescending attitudes from adults. The resultant lack of confidence can have drastic negative effects on their motivation and work ethic.
Young people need an environment that allows them to understand their strengths and weaknesses. They need adults in their lives that can bolster their confidence. It may only take a single person to make that difference.
Role models
The importance of role models for children is often described as a key factor that helps to form their goals and aspirations. Disrupted families are common in low-income households, which can frequently impact the availability of support and guidance for young people. This is by no means the fault of struggling single parents, but a symptom of the systemic problems that deny some children the grounding they need to succeed. In the absence of regular contact with a reliable role model, young people may become apathetic and unmotivated.
We can change this. As Brexit and the general election looms, there is an opportunity to renew focus on government intervention. Direct funding to schools could take the form of personal development schemes for students. They may also help to fund organisations like CoachBright to improve social mobility projects nationwide. This gives students a chance, for potentially the first time in their life, to benefit from one-to-one coaching and tutoring. This improves confidence, helping to cement both short and long-term goals. Overall, role models can be personal champions for young people, which is an essential component for their education and development.
Establishing goals
Think back to when you were 14, 16 and 18 years old. What were your career goals? Now think about where you are now in your life. How much have your aspirations changed throughout your development? The answer is usually a lot. The skill to set appropriate goals and attain them is a crucial factor that decides where we end up in our adult lives.
But young people from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience a day-to-day struggle that prevents them from honing this ability. Many grow up too fast, whether due to caring responsibilities for siblings or disabled parents, or working part-time to supplement their household income. This skews their perspective away from thinking about their destination in life and towards the present challenges. Career services vary dramatically from school to school, meaning that the education system currently fails to provide many young people with adequate guidance.
However, the continued acceptance and implementation of programmes that focus on goal setting for pupils promises to kick-start a new trend in education. If we can provide more tailored support for individuals through mentorship and coaching, we can foster environments where young people can think and talk about their future. This is a vital step in the right direction that offers us a chance to level the playing field and open doors for those disadvantaged by their background.
So, let’s keep this social mobility train going and lay the foundations for tracks that will lead young people to happier, more fulfilled lives.
Author: Daniel Griffin, West Walsall Programme Coach.
We’re not talking about learning to win cash prizes from the postcode lottery you see advertised on TV. This is about the education of future generations.
Daniel Griffin gives us the low-down on how the education system can combat inequality arising from the ‘postcode lottery’.