Responding to a new report by Speakers for Schools which found that factors including a lack of work experience were making it harder for pupils from less affluent backgrounds to get places at top universities, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

 “Work-related learning at secondary age is crucial to help pupils to think about their future, while providing them with a valuable taste of the world of work.

“However, despite support for careers education from school leaders, the government removed the requirement to provide work experience and cut the funding schools used to have for this. Schools no longer have the dedicated staff or resources to set up work experience placements for students. The success of bringing this requirement back would also depend heavily on a commitment from businesses and employers to host students on work experience.

“All schools must be provided with the resources they need to provide high quality careers education. Broader careers education, linked to raising aspirations, should begin at primary school by helping pupils to understand how working hard at school can bring fantastic opportunities in later life, offering them an insight into different careers.”