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“Society should ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need in order to make a fulfilling transition to adulthood” [email protected] - +44(0)7793 370459 - @LKMco – www.lkmco.org.uk The poverty of aspiration myth Eleanor Opal Bernardes and Dr Sam Baars – LKMco [email protected] 07980 370443 @Nor_Edu [email protected] 07814 609596 @sambaars

The poverty of aspiration myth

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Page 1: The poverty of aspiration myth

“Society should ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need in order to make a fulfilling transition to adulthood”[email protected] - +44(0)7793 370459 - @LKMco – www.lkmco.org.uk

The poverty of aspiration myth

Eleanor Opal Bernardes and Dr Sam Baars – LKMco

[email protected] 07980 370443 @Nor_Edu

[email protected] 07814 609596 @sambaars

Page 2: The poverty of aspiration myth

Problem

• Pupils’a ainmentislow

Cause

• Pupils’aspira onsarelow

Ac on

• Raisepupils’aspira ons

Outcome

• Pupils’a ainmentisincreased

Problem

• Pupils’a ainmentislowandtheycannotachievetheir(high)aspira ons

Cause

• Pupilsdonotknowhowtoachievetheiraspira ons

• Pupilslosefaithintheirabilitytoachievetheiraspira onsbecausetheira ainmentislow

Ac on

• Focusoninterven onsthathelppupilsunderstandhowtoachievetheiraspira onsandwhichraisetheira ainment.

Outcome

• Pupilsknowwhattheyneedtodotoachievetheiraspira onsandtheira ainmentincreases

ModelA ModelB

Page 3: The poverty of aspiration myth

Three main groups of decision making theories:

• Trait and factor

• Relational

• Post-rational (planned happenstance)

Page 4: The poverty of aspiration myth

Myths dispelled and truths clarified

1. Aspirations are not the same as expectations

2. There are no ‘high’ and ‘low’ aspirations

3. Aspirations are not stable over time

4. Different aspirations are revealed in different contexts

5. Aspirations don’t just relate to jobs and education

6. The link between aspirations and attainment flows both ways

7. Aspirations are not ‘lower’ in deprived areas or workless households

8. Geographical differences go beyond deprivation

Page 5: The poverty of aspiration myth

1. Aspirations are not the same as expectations

Page 6: The poverty of aspiration myth

2. There are no ‘high’ and ‘low’ aspirations

“Yeh, I like, I enjoy doing stuff like that… It's not just about the money is it? You want to do something you enjoy. Don't want to go to a job that you don't enjoy, do you? Cos if you're stuck with a job you don't enjoy for the rest of your life you're going to be miserable aren't you?”

“My mum struggles to even survive. And I don't want that life for my kids.”

Page 7: The poverty of aspiration myth

3. Aspirations are not stable over time

Page 8: The poverty of aspiration myth

4. Different aspirations are revealed in different contexts

• Different aspirations are ‘revealed’ and ‘concealed’ in different contexts

– To teachers

– To parents

– To friends

• Aspirations are ‘performative’

– Adapted for different audiences

Page 9: The poverty of aspiration myth

5. Aspirations don’t just relate to jobs and education

Educational aspirations

• Get good grades

• Go to university

Occupational aspirations

• Get a well-paid job

• Work in a certain sector

Broader life aspirations

• Have a satisfying career

• Have a ‘good life’

Achievement of educational aspirations not sufficient for achieving broader life aspirations

Page 10: The poverty of aspiration myth

6. The link between aspirations and attainment flows both ways

Aspirations help motivate young people to do well at

school

Success at school can

help to nurture

aspirations

Page 11: The poverty of aspiration myth

7. Aspirations are not ‘lower’ in deprived areas…

Page 12: The poverty of aspiration myth

…or workless households

1"

1.7"

2.19"

0"

0.5"

1"

1.5"

2"

2.5"

Neither"parent"has"a"professional,"managerial"or"technical"occupa; on"

At"least"one"parent"has"a"professional,"managerial"or"technical"occupa; on"

Parents"have"never"worked"

Page 13: The poverty of aspiration myth

8. Geographical differences go beyond deprivation

Young people in inner urban areas of deprivation

Are 5 times as likely to have aspirations for highly-skilled jobs as those in outer urban areas of deprivation.

They also achieve, on average, 1.5 grades higher in every GCSE they sit.

Page 14: The poverty of aspiration myth

“Society should ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need in order to make a fulfilling transition to adulthood”[email protected] - +44(0)7793 370459 - @LKMco – www.lkmco.org.uk

Eleanor Opal Bernardes and Dr Sam Baars – LKMco

[email protected] 07980 370443 @Nor_Edu

[email protected] 07814 609596 @sambaars