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#UKEdChat Q1
Should schools actively strive to improve social mobility?
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A1 Ye, however, I think that we should be trying to improve the life chances of all students. The support you put in needs to be strategic and specific to groups of students #ukedchat
First we need to decide what “social mobility” is. Changing outcomes for the occasional child or promoting a difference for communities of children #UKEdChat
A1. Clearly, yes....but... #ukedchat Educational priorities are not focused on social mobilities. Until the focus shifts away from results within narrow band of curriculum priorities, then schools and teachers will be able to have no impact IMHO.
A1- 100%, it is their educational, social and moral responsibility to improve the life chances of their young people. I'd challenge anyone to give a valid reason for why some children deserve less than others. #UKEdChat
#ukedchat A1: Absolutely! As cliché as it sounds, it’s important to show children that they can have the opportunity to follow any pursuit from a young age
A1. I think so. I think that supporting social mobility might also help to support attitudes to learning as ideas around social mobility can help to raise aspirations #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q2
Is the education system set up in a way which reinforces the social order and inequally?
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Yes. Was talking about that today. Research has shown that girls dismiss careers in the science domain by the age of 7! Seven! #ukedchat Is that cultural or societal?
A1: offer a broad and balanced curriculum. Open their minds beyond just exam skills. Take them to the theatre, to museums, university events etc. These experiences will provide them with cultural literacy thus improving social mobility options. #ukedchat
A1 ye, the new exams and progress measures are going to seriously disadvantage the lower ability students and students who are less likely to be supported outside of school #ukedchat
A2:idealistically the free education system was set up to level that playing field. Education was no longer meant to be the privilege of the rich. Losing experiences but focusing on league tables is undermining much. OFSTEDs good and bad schools serves to reinforce too #ukedchat
Completely, and you're spot on there Will #ukedchat However, can schools do that in the current culture of fear, accountability, and a drive for results?
A2 In schools with mixed ability classes, these social "barriers" are less obvious. I have seen setted classes highlight differences in the social order e.g one girl came from a single parent family and was isolated in her teaching group. #ukedchat
#ukedchat A2: I think it is, this is not my area of expertise but so much pressure is put on the Y6 SATS at getting into a ‘good’ school; failing to do so can impose a terrible mindset on very young learners
#ukedchat A1
The idea of what constitutes improve needs to encompass all forms of education - academic vocational and a greater understanding of life skills to create your own success story - thats what schools should strive for IMHO
A2. I think it is unfortunately. There is so much difference between the experiences of students at different schools in different areas. There is no parity and therefore there will be inequality #ukedchat
A1 knowledge of politics and how the world works, we need to give them the tools to determine truth from falsehood (fake news) and the courage to challenge it #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q3
What can individual teachers do to improve the social mobility of their pupils?
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A3. Ideally, offer opportunities to go beyond the expected curriculum, to showcase the depth of the subject, and cultural or unique experiences that may enlightened students further #ukedchat
#ukedchat A3: Exposure, Exposure, Exposure: Showing that people just like them (whether it be gender, race, social class etc) can and have achieved great things - encourage the belief that they can do
Hate this phrase. It makes it sound like working class people should aspire to not be working class. Why? Social justice is better. Help people achieve their aspirations without worrying whether they manage to ‘escape’ being working class #UKEdChat A1
I watch teacher's deliver lessons to the spec. Assessment criteria driven. Through apps and gimmicks and ILT. But the students learn very little. No historical context. No transferable skills. No awareness of where this works beyond the classroom/exam #ukedchat
A3 Are we agreed about what we are talking about yet. Is “social mobility” rescuing children from their class and community? Or something more?#ukedchat
Provide an opportunity to access the whole curriculum. Use of platforms that can be used to extend where appropriate and not stifle progress. #ukedchat
A3 Encourage students to follow any dreams they might have - whether they be employment or personal aspirations to simply say travel. Also talk about their own life experiences to open minds to other possibilities beyond what they know #ukedchat
They need to apply this 'knowledge' to something tangible. To cross reference to life. To live the experience, even if a little vicarious through anecdotes, or film clips #ukedchat
A3. They need to have tangible examples of people from the area doing well and achieving their ambitions. Getting ex-students in rut talk with students can be really powerful #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q4
How can we improve social mobility while not devaluing certain jobs and professions?
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A2 - there’s a selective school in our area, predominantly attended by children whose parents are professionals and who ‘play the game’ paying for tutoring to help them pass the test #classwar#ukedchat
Can we have some clarity about what it is that we want students to aspire to? Be bankers? Estate agents? Doctors? Better people? Anything but working class #ukedchat
If social mobility means ensuring all young people can take the paths of their choice (whatever they may be) and have their voice listened to on an equal level then I can’t imagine what else schools would be here for #UKEdChat
Give them a taste. A hunger to want to see it/experience it for themselves. Imbibe them with a passion. A drive. To strive for that. Not just fill in a sheet or go on Padlet and comment from a textbook example #ukedchat
A3- High expectations. Go beyond curriculum. Expose them to people like them. Encourage them to read. Don't treat them as victims, but don't ignore the hurdles they face. Sit them where they are easily accessible for feedback and encouragement. #ukedchat
#UKEdChat A4: By teaching chn to respect and value all professions equally - the ‘People Who Help Us’ topic in EY is my absolute favourite because of this; jobs/people which may get ignored by chn are shown to be valued and important!
I think this is a really good point. Goes along with that weirdness around recommending teachers get rid of regional accents. We should be making education/resources/opportunities available to all groups. Not make people leave a group to get the opportunity. #UKEdChat
A2:Yes The system does not meet the needs of all children, which is not allowing children to fully flourish and meet their potential. It suits very academic students. #ukedsch#ukedchat
You make a valid point. We are preparing student for a future that is unclear in terms of career opportunities. Society will need even more carers etc. We all need to value such 'lesser' roles #ukedchat They actually are very important.
A3 #UKEdChat Read! Read to them, read with them, give them access to great books, tell them stories, take them to the library, talk to their parents about reading with them, get your school to employ a librarian, get authors to visit, read children's books yourself.
A4. I think you have to emphasise the idea of choices. For me social mobility is about having choices and prospects - it’s not necessarily about having a career that other people perceive as ‘aspirational’. It’s about having those options and making s choice. #ukedchat
#A4 We live in a world where we need a huge range of occupations. However we should always remember that the creative economy in the UK grows at twice the speed of the rest of the economy and we should value the arts rather than have them pushed to one side.
#UKEdChat Q4
Get local employers from all sectors on board to show how in time everyone can be a success within their own sphere of interest and that social roots become irrelevant in terms of that success but vital for diverse culture in the workplace
As things currently stand, the extremely slow progress in closing the attainment gap between FSM and non-FSM students would suggest yes. But the ways in which it is happening is changing: https://t.co/WvY5V7W6eQ#ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q5
How could/are school career services be utilised to improve social mobility?
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It’s been a School priority. It gets linked into values, ethos. Things like #InternationalWomensDay matter - inspirational role models showing women who are fire-fighters, pilots, doctors etc. Job prospects are talked about and linked to lessons. #UKEdChat
A5 Schools/career services where I have worked aim to give as much information to students about next steps post-16, through open days and career fairs where all students are taken by the school #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q3 Give students hands on learning experiences that develop skills outside of the classroom. Allow them to experience things that are outside their own expectations, especially those who come from areas with high levels of socio-economic deprivation.
#UKEdChat A3 Give students hands on learning experiences that develop skills outside of the classroom. Allow them to experience things that are outside their own expectations, especially those who come from areas with high levels of socio-economic deprivation.
A4: are we really equating social mobility with jobs and money? Surely a 'miner' can be socially mobile if he can discuss literature or art or some such. Do people introduce themselves by job titles and salary? I think the problem is there in the q! #ukedchat 😬
A4: one of the mistakes of New Labour education policy was the narrow definition of social mobility being university attendance on limited range of academic courses- the Conservative’s botched Ebacc project being the logical conclusion of this. #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q6
How can schools, parents and the wider community work together to improve aspirations?
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A5 Remember being part of a speed dating event where local businesses and services and national companies were invited in and students spent 5 minutes with each one getting info about careers. Was very useful #ukedchat
Year 10 parents evening tonight. So lovely to be able to speak so positively about students and even better when they tell you history is their favourite subject #happyteacher#historyteacher#ukedchat
@ukedchat q4 has really annoyed and riled me. That is exactly the problem with social mobility. This belief that it boils down to money and job title. C'mon. You are better than that surely! #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q6
Simple solution get schools to ask local tourist information centres to give them one of those stands and leaflets with local things to do. Help parents get together to take kids out and explore in holiday time - much is there for free
#UKEdChat A6: My last school ran an ‘aspirations day’ - chn would dress up as what they want to be, parents/friends of teachers would be invited in to talk about their jobs (a fantastic variety) and a big deal would be made about ‘choice’ - it was such a positive day!
A6. I think when schools hold careers events it’s good to involve parents- extend the day into the evening so parents can come in and also find out about different opportunities so that conversations can continue at home. #ukedchat
'Social mobility' in research usually includes all three (job, money, education). I agree it is a bit reductionist, and we certainly have to be careful about putting some goals on a pedestal! #ukedchat
@ukedchat discussion on social mobility...read Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. You can dress the part, talk posh but it's the knowledge of what to say that marks you out. The experiences had. #ukedchat
Fair point. However the same could be said for the Youtuber generation/ the Big Brother cohort or similar public competitions - therefore we need to inform as well as encourage #ukedchat
@ukedchat discussion on social mobility...read Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. You can dress the part, talk posh but it's the knowledge of what to say that marks you out. The experiences had. #ukedchat
We can start by stopping using the term "social mobility' #UKEdChat - social mobility decimates communities and undermines their value. We need social growth, social investment, social justice.
Not that simple unfortunately. Free activities are irrelevant. With many parents hardly seeing their children due to working so much to provide the basics, taking a day of is impossible either due to loss of money or potential loss of hours on a 0 hour contracts. #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q7
With the equality gap widening, how can we prevent our pupils falling behind?
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Holidays? someone must be taking care of the kids? Most museums are free most libraries are free and provide events often free too. The vouchers give group discounts - we need a more can do attitude
A7 - Double-pronged approach. Focus on the individual students we work with to give them a fighting chance because they are absolutely worth it. But, we can't ignore the systemic societal factors, we need to fight those on a more national level too. #ukedchat
Quality teachers who care about children and want to work with parents/carers/communities to ensure children are ready to leave as well rounded citizens who can THRIVE not just survive.
#UKEdChat Q8
Can technology be used to improve access and equality?
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A7. I think we have to try our best in a targets driven culture to encourage students who struggle with learning to make the most of all the other experiences that schools have to offer beyond the classroom. These experiences will help them to achieve their potential #UKEdchat
#UKEdChat A7 start by drawing closer together - families-schools-communities. In working together to maximise potential for and of all we can tackle interference/distractions head on. Beginning at grass roots level - listening + encouraging activism.
A6. We ran a “Discover Day” at one of my schools - promoting lots of partners, agencies, services and showcasing learning and work. It all links to aspiration and aiming to succeed https://t.co/sMYFOuQgkp#UKEdChat
A1 #UkEdChat I don’t like the idea of social mobility. While I understand that it’s good to improve ones own lot, it still requires others to be left behind.
A4 By not dismissing dreams and aspirations, education must stop putting higher value on academic qualifications. Our educational landscape needs to change. #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q7
DON'T ditch your cross curricular resource of a school library and librarian for a commercial reading scheme for your English Dept that provides stats for Ofsted !
