Youth Aspiration

London Councils commissioned Ipsos Mori to survey 1,400 pupils aged 14-16 about their aspirations for the future.

The teenagers were asked about their plans for further study, training, careers and how they define success.

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The research links together work London Councils and all the London boroughs have been doing on 16-19 education, apprenticeships and pupil referral units as well as improving the achievement of pupils. It also looks at what prevents some children from fulfilling their potential. The findings will be used to develop London-wide policy and highlight areas for councils to look at in more detail.

 The research focused on five areas:

• expectation and aspiration - perceptions of success and optimism for the future
• awareness and knowledge of options after 16 - further education, training or employment
• access to information - advice and careers services
• support and influence - parents, teachers and peers
• re-engaging the disengaged - truancy, barriers to success

Read more below in our related documents.

You may also be interested to read about our programmes of work on 14-19 education, improving school attendance (with the Mayor), pupil referral units and apprenticeships (with Capital Ambition).