FEA State Of The Nation Report Launch

The Fair Education Alliance published its second annual state of the nation report in April 2016. The report explores fairness in the education system in England and whether the country is on track to achieve the Fair Education Impact Goals by 2022. The report can be read here. 

ReachOut is one of 55 organisations who are members of the Fair Education Alliance which is made up of universities, businesses and third sector organisations who have committed to work together to eradicate educational inequality.

Whilst the gap had improved in areas such as London, the equality gap had grown in some areas in the north, including major cities such as Liverpool and Leeds. 

On 14th June 2016, ReachOut were proud to be part of the FEA report card launch at The University of Manchester. The event's key note speaker, Lemn Sissay, gave an inspiring speech that included one of his trademark poems entitled, 'Inspire and be Inspired'. The event also featured a presentation by FEA Director Lewis Iwu, and a panel discussion. 

Members on the panel were: ReachOut Manchester Manager  Chloe Spencer, co-founder of the Tutor Trust Nick Bent, Chief Executive and Academy Principal of The Dean Trust Tarun Kapur CBE, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Manchester Stephanie Lee, and Kelsey Dumville, a full-time volunteer for City Year Greater Manchester. Chairing the event was Julian Skyrme, Director of social responsibility at the University of Manchester. 

Fair education is at the heart of ReachOut's ethos. We believe our education system should produce happy, community spirited young people with the drive to succeed in life. The only way we can do that is by closing the educational gap that exists between children from affluent families and children from disadvantaged families. Chloe Spencer discussed ReachOut's mentoring programmes and how the teaching of character must play a large part in closing that gap.

"This may be where you're from but this doesn't have to be your destination" - Chloe Spencer, ReachOut Manchester Director

The  panel spoke fervently about the need for every aspect of our society to work towards a fair and equitable education system, one where no child is left behind. Tarun Kapur spoke about the schools in the Dean Trust and the need to get the right staff in the right positions. Nick Bent spoke about the need for high quality, affordable tuition for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Kelsey from CityYear spoke about the need for more people to get involved in closing the gap through volunteering.

The event was a great success and highlighted the important work that ReachOut and all the other organisations do to improve the life chances of young people in the UK. 

Working together is vital if we are to achieve the FEA impact goals by 2022. That's why we need you! Why not make a commitment to eradicating educational disadvantage by volunteering? 

ReachOut are recruiting mentors for the 2016-2017 academic year. Apply now and help close the gap!