Sutton Trust - School Projects

School Projects

Open Access Open Access is a voluntary scheme that would open the best independent day schools to students from all backgrounds, with places awarded on merit alone. The schools would remain independent, entrance would be competitive and fees would be paid on a sliding scale.

The seven year pilot at the Belvedere School in Liverpool was funded jointly by the Sutton Trust and the Girls' Day School Trust and all places were awarded on merit, with parents paying a sliding scale of fees according to their means. Under the scheme, the social mix of the school became more diverse with 30% of pupils on free places, 40% paying partial fees and 30% paying full fees. The first cohort achieved the school’s best ever examination results - and the best in Liverpool - with 99% of students achieving at least five good GCSEs.

One-to-one Tuition Pilot In 2011 the Sutton Trust with support from Greater London Tutors, piloted a project which offered private tuition in mathematics to 100-150 academically able Year 11 pupils from non-privileged homes who would not otherwise be able to afford it. The aim was to help pupils with the potential to achieve A or A* grades in their maths GCSE, but who were at risk of not doing so, and provided 10 hours of private tuition either one-to-one or in pairs in the run-up to the GCSE exam.

Future First Future First works to introduce alumni networks to state schools by bringing back former students to inspire, advise and guide current pupils. The programme aimed to help students define their career goals and educational aspirations, as well as offering practical help, including putting together effective CVs. The scheme allowed face-to-face alumni contact and the development of individual interactive alumni websites for each schools. The programme also offered work placements through its network, including work-shadowing opportunities with leading barristers.