The Sutton Trust does not believe these patterns are inevitable; measures can be taken to arrest the forces that drive educational inequalities so early in life. The Government is making a promising start - the benefits of Sure Start, free nursery places and investment in schools will take a while to filter through. For its part, the Trust is supporting a number of interventions that show real promise in changing the attitudes and aspirations of parents and children up to age 11.
These initiatives are underpinned by three principles. The first is recognising that innovative strategies are required to engage with isolated families facing the particular challenges of living in poverty. The second is that we must aim to support effective parenting and involve parents wherever practical in pre-school and primary education. And finally, it is never too early to plant the seeds of high aspirations in the minds of children, ensuring that poorer children are familiar with possibilities like university and professional careers, in ways that more affluent youngsters take for granted.
Schemes based on these principles may help to change the direction of travel for some children currently on downward paths of educational and social mobility.
