Sector leaders call for action

SIR – With a new government determined to deliver economic growth, we urge the Chancellor to prioritise investment in our young people in the upcoming Budget and Spending Review.

For too long, young people from poorer backgrounds have been shut out of the opportunities they deserve. All children are born with potential, yet unequal access to a brilliant education has a damming impact on poorer young people’s futures.

Additional funding for schools serving disadvantaged communities – matched by a commitment to tackle child poverty - would drastically change their outcomes. Prioritising this in the Budget and Spending Review is how the Government achieves their mission to break down the barriers to opportunity.

This investment would not only kick-start our nation’s economic growth, but would mean we can deliver a brighter future for all our children.

Signed by:

• Russell Hobby, CEO of Teach First
• Nick Harrison, CEO of The Sutton Trust
• Lee Elliot Major OBE FAcSS, Professor of Social Mobility at University of Exeter
• Sarah Atkinson, CEO of Social Mobility Foundation
• Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of Chartered College of Teaching
• Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler, CEO of Now Teach
• Frank Norris MBE FCCT, Education and Skills Advisor to The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
• Róisín Killick and Terry Boyce, Co-CEOs of The Centre for Education and Youth
• Gina Cicerone, CEO of Fair Education Alliance
• Dan Lawes and Melisha John, Co-CEOs of My Life My Say
• Kiran Gill, CEO and Founder of The Difference
• Vanessa Longley, CEO of Chance UK