Earlier this year the Sutton Trust published research that found that assertive, talkative and enthusiastic adults are more likely to come from privileged backgrounds.
‘Extraversion’
A Winning Personality found that people who have these characteristics are more likely to earn in excess of £40,000 per annum.
To prevent disadvantaged children being left behind in the jobs market, the Sutton Trust recommends schools teach the aforementioned skills so that there is more of a level playing field.
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), said: “We must build the career aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and foster the more intangible qualities that they need to succeed and which are not taught in the curriculum such as confidence, aspiration, resilience and creativity.”
David Cameron
The charity’s findings have been echoed at the highest level of government with Prime Minister saying that schools should teach character virtues such as “curiosity, honesty, perseverance and service.”
Data from 150,000 UK residents was analysed by the Sutton Trust, which found that adults from better-off backgrounds were more likely to display high levels of openness, including imagination and intellectual curiosity.
Dr Robert de Vries, lecturer at the University of Kent and one of the authors of the report told Schools Week: “We know that, in the UK, even more than in many other countries, a privileged upbringing is likely to lead to better grades at school, and a better chance at a successful career.
“But, along with the previous research we review, today’s analysis of the BBC Big Personality Test show that those from better off backgrounds have yet another advantage when it comes to non-academic factors like extraversion and career aspirations.”
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)
The EEF has funded six projects looking at the impact of character education on learning. It’s aim is to develop initiatives to raise the attainment of the poorest pupils in the most challenging schools.
To learn more about the EEF please visit: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/about/
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