Seminar series drives levelling up agenda

Ensuring that every child successfully achieves their potential in attainment and development was the latest topic for discussion at a seminar series launching a new architecture for levelling up Britain.

Earlier this year a set of 14 Levelling Up Goals were launched by the Social Mobility Pledge, a coalition of businesses and universities campaigning for greater social mobility, to galvanise efforts to reduce inequality.

The goals are being launched with a seminar series where each individual session focuses on a different one of the 14 goals. The seminars are hosted by one of the Social Mobility Pledge partners with a panel discussion featuring businesses and MPs.

Successful school years was the latest of the goals to be discussed at a virtual seminar. The session was hosted by broadcaster Iain Dale and UWE Bristol. Panelists included UWE Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve West; Karin Smyth MP; Ina Goldberg, Vice Principal of Oasis Academy Brislington; and Liz Lister, manager at the STEM Ambassador Hub West England.

The Social Mobility Pledge co-founder the Rt Hon Justine Greening, a former Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “Even before this dreadful pandemic, the UK had a lot of ground to make up in addressing social mobility and inequality of opportunity. Disadvantaged groups have been hit hardest by this disease and we must redouble our efforts if we are not to go backwards.

“Successful school years are a key component of the levelling up the agenda. It’s great to see the University of the West of England, among others, leading from the front in our efforts to ensure all children can achieve their potential in attainment and development.

“The Levelling Up Goals are designed to provide standards against which we can measure ourselves and track our future progress in driving real, targeted change on the ground. The 14 goals transcend political divides and can be supported by all political parties.’’

Watch a recording of the seminar. For more details on the series of seminars on the 14 Levelling Up Goals visit: www.levellingupgoals.org