Jon Datta
@jondatta.bsky.social
Social Mobility. Head of University Access & Digital at @suttontrust.bsky.social. Chair of Governors at Coleridge Community College.
Pinned
Jon Datta
@jondatta.bsky.social
· Jan 16
The UK should not give up on contextual admissions
Scaled and standardised, lowering entry requirements for disadvantaged applicants can contribute to a fairer society, says Jon Datta
www.timeshighereducation.com
🎓 Contextual admissions can be transformative when done right-beyond the 'lucky few.' My @timeshighered.bsky.social article highlights the need for transparency, consistency & a joined-up approach to widen access. Let’s act now: www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s... #HigherEd #SocialMobility
New @suttontrust.bsky.social research shows HE drives around 2/3 of UK upward mobility, however, access alone isn’t enough. The graduate premium has narrowed as participation grows. Task now: share the benefits fairly and strengthen routes beyond university. 🔗 www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Degrees of Difference - The Sutton Trust
What role does higher education play in driving social mobility across the world?
www.suttontrust.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:04 AM
New @suttontrust.bsky.social research shows HE drives around 2/3 of UK upward mobility, however, access alone isn’t enough. The graduate premium has narrowed as participation grows. Task now: share the benefits fairly and strengthen routes beyond university. 🔗 www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Reposted by Jon Datta
Don’t miss our Head of University Access & Digital @jondatta.bsky.social speaking to Sarah Dirrane this Tuesday in a live edition of The Student Outcomes Podcast, all about place, background, and opportunity ⬇️
cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Don’t miss our Head of University Access & Digital @jondatta.bsky.social speaking to Sarah Dirrane this Tuesday in a live edition of The Student Outcomes Podcast, all about place, background, and opportunity ⬇️
cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
📢Looking forward to joining Sarah for a live edition of The Student Outcomes Podcast on Tues 11 November.
We’ll be discussing how geography, background & policy shifts are shaping opportunity for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
🎧 Register here: cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
We’ll be discussing how geography, background & policy shifts are shaping opportunity for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
🎧 Register here: cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
October 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
📢Looking forward to joining Sarah for a live edition of The Student Outcomes Podcast on Tues 11 November.
We’ll be discussing how geography, background & policy shifts are shaping opportunity for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
🎧 Register here: cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
We’ll be discussing how geography, background & policy shifts are shaping opportunity for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
🎧 Register here: cosmosltd.ac-page.com/the-student-...
Reposted by Jon Datta
The Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper marks an important moment for higher education and social mobility in England.
@jondatta.bsky.social outlines what the announcement means for widening access to university in our latest blog ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
@jondatta.bsky.social outlines what the announcement means for widening access to university in our latest blog ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
What the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper means for access and participation - The Sutton Trust
The impact of the Skills White Paper on university access?
www.suttontrust.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper marks an important moment for higher education and social mobility in England.
@jondatta.bsky.social outlines what the announcement means for widening access to university in our latest blog ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
@jondatta.bsky.social outlines what the announcement means for widening access to university in our latest blog ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
Reposted by Jon Datta
🗣️ "Middle-class parents have the time, the resources, and the money to be able to fight harder for their children and get the support that they need."
Our CEO, @nickharrison73.bsky.social, discussed our research on the SEND system on Sky News this morning with Matt Barbet and Leah Boleto 📺
Our CEO, @nickharrison73.bsky.social, discussed our research on the SEND system on Sky News this morning with Matt Barbet and Leah Boleto 📺
October 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
🗣️ "Middle-class parents have the time, the resources, and the money to be able to fight harder for their children and get the support that they need."
Our CEO, @nickharrison73.bsky.social, discussed our research on the SEND system on Sky News this morning with Matt Barbet and Leah Boleto 📺
Our CEO, @nickharrison73.bsky.social, discussed our research on the SEND system on Sky News this morning with Matt Barbet and Leah Boleto 📺
Timely work from @upp-foundation.bsky.social[email protected] on a new mission for WP. With inequalities deepening, fair access must stay at the heart of HE.
🔗@suttontrust.bsky.social response: www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
🔗 UPP Report: upp-foundation.org/new-research...
🔗@suttontrust.bsky.social response: www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
🔗 UPP Report: upp-foundation.org/new-research...
April 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Timely work from @upp-foundation.bsky.social[email protected] on a new mission for WP. With inequalities deepening, fair access must stay at the heart of HE.
🔗@suttontrust.bsky.social response: www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
🔗 UPP Report: upp-foundation.org/new-research...
🔗@suttontrust.bsky.social response: www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
🔗 UPP Report: upp-foundation.org/new-research...
Reposted by Jon Datta
Our Head of University Access & Digital, @jondatta.bsky.social, discussed this issue in @schoolsweek.bsky.social in November.
He wrote about the inefficiencies within the current FSM system, as well as the advantages of moving towards a system of auto-enrolment ⬇️
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
He wrote about the inefficiencies within the current FSM system, as well as the advantages of moving towards a system of auto-enrolment ⬇️
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
Labour must prioritise FSM reform to deliver social mobility
A bill is moving through parliament that could significantly improve children's lives and schools' budgets
schoolsweek.co.uk
March 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Our Head of University Access & Digital, @jondatta.bsky.social, discussed this issue in @schoolsweek.bsky.social in November.
He wrote about the inefficiencies within the current FSM system, as well as the advantages of moving towards a system of auto-enrolment ⬇️
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
He wrote about the inefficiencies within the current FSM system, as well as the advantages of moving towards a system of auto-enrolment ⬇️
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
➡️Just 5% of medical students come from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds-despite that number doubling since 2012.
➡️75% of entrants come from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
➡️75% of entrants come from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
🚨 NEW: Only a fraction of medical students come from working class backgrounds, despite recent efforts to widen access.
Our new research finds persistent issues with access to careers in medicine, as working-class people remain hugely underrepresented in the profession 🧵⬇️
Our new research finds persistent issues with access to careers in medicine, as working-class people remain hugely underrepresented in the profession 🧵⬇️
February 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
➡️Just 5% of medical students come from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds-despite that number doubling since 2012.
➡️75% of entrants come from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
➡️75% of entrants come from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
🚨More students from the NE, NW, SW, Scotland, Wales & NI should have the chance @garynunn.bsky.social had: www.theneweuropean.co.uk/i-was-a-soci...
His @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer School experience changed his life-who else could benefit?
📅 Apply by 6 March
🔗 summerschools.suttontrust.com
His @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer School experience changed his life-who else could benefit?
📅 Apply by 6 March
🔗 summerschools.suttontrust.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
🚨More students from the NE, NW, SW, Scotland, Wales & NI should have the chance @garynunn.bsky.social had: www.theneweuropean.co.uk/i-was-a-soci...
His @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer School experience changed his life-who else could benefit?
📅 Apply by 6 March
🔗 summerschools.suttontrust.com
His @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer School experience changed his life-who else could benefit?
📅 Apply by 6 March
🔗 summerschools.suttontrust.com
If P8 remains the key accountability measure, schools with most disadvantaged intakes will continue to be unfairly penalised. Accountability must take context into account. More by @carolinebarlow.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/how-labour-can-fix-accountability-to-drive-the-inclusion-it-wants
The missing piece in Labour's accountability narrative
Ofsted and curriculum reforms alone won't drive the system-wide inclusion Labour says it wants
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 3, 2025 at 7:42 AM
If P8 remains the key accountability measure, schools with most disadvantaged intakes will continue to be unfairly penalised. Accountability must take context into account. More by @carolinebarlow.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/how-labour-can-fix-accountability-to-drive-the-inclusion-it-wants
Reposted by Jon Datta
📣 Do you want to lead our media, communications, campaigning and public affairs work?
We are looking for somebody with extensive experience of public affairs and campaigning and comms work to join our team as Director of Communications and Advocacy.
Apply by 2nd Feb 👇
https://buff.ly/4gUZ8b3
We are looking for somebody with extensive experience of public affairs and campaigning and comms work to join our team as Director of Communications and Advocacy.
Apply by 2nd Feb 👇
https://buff.ly/4gUZ8b3
January 17, 2025 at 8:27 AM
📣 Do you want to lead our media, communications, campaigning and public affairs work?
We are looking for somebody with extensive experience of public affairs and campaigning and comms work to join our team as Director of Communications and Advocacy.
Apply by 2nd Feb 👇
https://buff.ly/4gUZ8b3
We are looking for somebody with extensive experience of public affairs and campaigning and comms work to join our team as Director of Communications and Advocacy.
Apply by 2nd Feb 👇
https://buff.ly/4gUZ8b3
Reposted by Jon Datta
💬 "The participation gap between students who were eligible for free school meals and those who were not has now reached a record high."
@jondatta.bsky.social on the need to persist with efforts to widen access to HE via contextual admissions ⬇️
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s...
@jondatta.bsky.social on the need to persist with efforts to widen access to HE via contextual admissions ⬇️
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s...
The UK should not give up on contextual admissions
Scaled and standardised, lowering entry requirements for disadvantaged applicants can contribute to a fairer society, says Jon Datta
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2025 at 3:45 PM
💬 "The participation gap between students who were eligible for free school meals and those who were not has now reached a record high."
@jondatta.bsky.social on the need to persist with efforts to widen access to HE via contextual admissions ⬇️
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s...
@jondatta.bsky.social on the need to persist with efforts to widen access to HE via contextual admissions ⬇️
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s...
🎓 Contextual admissions can be transformative when done right-beyond the 'lucky few.' My @timeshighered.bsky.social article highlights the need for transparency, consistency & a joined-up approach to widen access. Let’s act now: www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s... #HigherEd #SocialMobility
The UK should not give up on contextual admissions
Scaled and standardised, lowering entry requirements for disadvantaged applicants can contribute to a fairer society, says Jon Datta
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM
🎓 Contextual admissions can be transformative when done right-beyond the 'lucky few.' My @timeshighered.bsky.social article highlights the need for transparency, consistency & a joined-up approach to widen access. Let’s act now: www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/uk-s... #HigherEd #SocialMobility
1/ 🚨 Applications for @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer Schools 2025 are now open!
This FREE programme gives Y12/S5 students the chance to explore life at top unis. Apply now!
📅 Deadline: 6 March 2025
👉 summerschools.suttontrust.com
This FREE programme gives Y12/S5 students the chance to explore life at top unis. Apply now!
📅 Deadline: 6 March 2025
👉 summerschools.suttontrust.com
January 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
1/ 🚨 Applications for @suttontrust.bsky.social Summer Schools 2025 are now open!
This FREE programme gives Y12/S5 students the chance to explore life at top unis. Apply now!
📅 Deadline: 6 March 2025
👉 summerschools.suttontrust.com
This FREE programme gives Y12/S5 students the chance to explore life at top unis. Apply now!
📅 Deadline: 6 March 2025
👉 summerschools.suttontrust.com
@theifs.bsky.social latest report shows that by 2025–26, the poorest students will have £1,125 less in real terms for living costs than in 2020. The gov't has yet to address these cuts or commit to the long-term future of maintenance support. This risks deepening inequalities.
January 8, 2025 at 10:43 AM
@theifs.bsky.social latest report shows that by 2025–26, the poorest students will have £1,125 less in real terms for living costs than in 2020. The gov't has yet to address these cuts or commit to the long-term future of maintenance support. This risks deepening inequalities.
Reposted by Jon Datta
For Maths fans, 2025 is a square.
45² = 45 x 45 = 2025
Also,
9² x 5² = 2025
40² + 20² + 5² = 2025
My favourite?
1³+2³+3³+4³+5³+6³+7³+8³+9³ = 2025
#Mathematics #teaching #education
45² = 45 x 45 = 2025
Also,
9² x 5² = 2025
40² + 20² + 5² = 2025
My favourite?
1³+2³+3³+4³+5³+6³+7³+8³+9³ = 2025
#Mathematics #teaching #education
January 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
For Maths fans, 2025 is a square.
45² = 45 x 45 = 2025
Also,
9² x 5² = 2025
40² + 20² + 5² = 2025
My favourite?
1³+2³+3³+4³+5³+6³+7³+8³+9³ = 2025
#Mathematics #teaching #education
45² = 45 x 45 = 2025
Also,
9² x 5² = 2025
40² + 20² + 5² = 2025
My favourite?
1³+2³+3³+4³+5³+6³+7³+8³+9³ = 2025
#Mathematics #teaching #education
@hepi-news.bsky.social data: #London student rents now exceed max maintenance loans. @wonkhe.bsky.social polling shows students clock ~12hrs more/week than avg adults, with 2/3 working just to afford basics. Time for reform so education isn’t a financial struggle. www.hepi.ac.uk/2024/12/10/a...
Average student rents in London overtake the maximum maintenance loan: The 2024 Accommodation Costs Survey - HEPI
A new report from Unipol and the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) reveals alarming trends in the London student accommodation market: The report, titled Priced Out? The Accommodation Costs Sur...
www.hepi.ac.uk
December 10, 2024 at 6:34 PM
@hepi-news.bsky.social data: #London student rents now exceed max maintenance loans. @wonkhe.bsky.social polling shows students clock ~12hrs more/week than avg adults, with 2/3 working just to afford basics. Time for reform so education isn’t a financial struggle. www.hepi.ac.uk/2024/12/10/a...
Reposted by Jon Datta
Great piece 👏
Improving access, quality, and funding around #FreeSchoolMeals “would support better educational outcomes + improve #ChildHealth and our economy”.
It’s “a crucial investment in meeting the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
Improving access, quality, and funding around #FreeSchoolMeals “would support better educational outcomes + improve #ChildHealth and our economy”.
It’s “a crucial investment in meeting the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
Labour must prioritise FSM reform to deliver social mobility
A bill is moving through parliament that could significantly improve children's lives and schools' budgets
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 5, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Great piece 👏
Improving access, quality, and funding around #FreeSchoolMeals “would support better educational outcomes + improve #ChildHealth and our economy”.
It’s “a crucial investment in meeting the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
Improving access, quality, and funding around #FreeSchoolMeals “would support better educational outcomes + improve #ChildHealth and our economy”.
It’s “a crucial investment in meeting the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
Reposted by Jon Datta
🚨The UCAS deadline is near! Contextual offers can reduce grade requirements for students from less advantaged backgrounds. Our @suttontrust.bsky.social Contextual Offers Tool helps students, parents/carers & schools find which unis offer them & how to apply:
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
November 28, 2024 at 10:26 AM
🚨The UCAS deadline is near! Contextual offers can reduce grade requirements for students from less advantaged backgrounds. Our @suttontrust.bsky.social Contextual Offers Tool helps students, parents/carers & schools find which unis offer them & how to apply:
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
1/ Reforming free school meals is critical for social mobility. FSM is our best indicator of socio-economic disadvantage but deeply flawed, leaving 900k+ children in poverty unsupported. Read my
@schoolsweek.bsky.social article: schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
#SocialMobility #FreeSchoolMeals
@schoolsweek.bsky.social article: schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
#SocialMobility #FreeSchoolMeals
Labour must prioritise FSM reform to deliver social mobility
A bill is moving through parliament that could significantly improve children's lives and schools' budgets
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 29, 2024 at 8:44 AM
1/ Reforming free school meals is critical for social mobility. FSM is our best indicator of socio-economic disadvantage but deeply flawed, leaving 900k+ children in poverty unsupported. Read my
@schoolsweek.bsky.social article: schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
#SocialMobility #FreeSchoolMeals
@schoolsweek.bsky.social article: schoolsweek.co.uk/fsm-reform-i...
#SocialMobility #FreeSchoolMeals
⏳Don’t miss out! We’re hiring a Senior Programmes Manager: University Access to lead flagship @suttontrust.bsky.social programmes like UK Summer Schools & the US Programme. Apply by 9am, Mon 2 Dec to help drive change for underrepresented students. recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404... #Hiring
November 28, 2024 at 5:26 PM
⏳Don’t miss out! We’re hiring a Senior Programmes Manager: University Access to lead flagship @suttontrust.bsky.social programmes like UK Summer Schools & the US Programme. Apply by 9am, Mon 2 Dec to help drive change for underrepresented students. recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404... #Hiring
🚨The UCAS deadline is near! Contextual offers can reduce grade requirements for students from less advantaged backgrounds. Our @suttontrust.bsky.social Contextual Offers Tool helps students, parents/carers & schools find which unis offer them & how to apply:
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
November 28, 2024 at 10:26 AM
🚨The UCAS deadline is near! Contextual offers can reduce grade requirements for students from less advantaged backgrounds. Our @suttontrust.bsky.social Contextual Offers Tool helps students, parents/carers & schools find which unis offer them & how to apply:
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
👉 suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Context...
Reposted by Jon Datta
📈Hiring! Join @suttontrust.bsky.social as Senior Programmes Manager – a fantastic chance to change thousands of lives every year. If you're passionate about widening access to uni & social mobility, get in touch! #Hiring #EducationJobs #SocialMobility
🔗 recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404...
🔗 recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404...
Senior Programmes Manager: University Access - The Sutton Trust
Deadline: 9am, 2nd December 2024 . The Senior Programmes Manager: University Access will play a pivotal role in the University Access and Digital team, overseeing and managing the delivery of high-...
recruitment.suttontrust.com
November 14, 2024 at 5:24 PM
📈Hiring! Join @suttontrust.bsky.social as Senior Programmes Manager – a fantastic chance to change thousands of lives every year. If you're passionate about widening access to uni & social mobility, get in touch! #Hiring #EducationJobs #SocialMobility
🔗 recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404...
🔗 recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5200404...
Reposted by Jon Datta
🚨 Calling all researchers 🚨
We're commissioning an exciting new research project on the role of higher education in social mobility internationally, with a focus on policy learnings for the UK and the US.
Express your interest by 9th December ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
We're commissioning an exciting new research project on the role of higher education in social mobility internationally, with a focus on policy learnings for the UK and the US.
Express your interest by 9th December ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
November 21, 2024 at 6:02 PM
🚨 Calling all researchers 🚨
We're commissioning an exciting new research project on the role of higher education in social mobility internationally, with a focus on policy learnings for the UK and the US.
Express your interest by 9th December ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
We're commissioning an exciting new research project on the role of higher education in social mobility internationally, with a focus on policy learnings for the UK and the US.
Express your interest by 9th December ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
1/ 📢Disadvantaged students suffer as subject ‘cold spots’ develop. This @timeshighered.bsky.social article reveals a troubling trend: disadvantaged students losing access to key university subjects, deepening inequality. #socialmobility
🔗 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/course-...
🔗 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/course-...
Course closures bring risk of ‘humanities cold spots’
Development of ‘cold spots’ without arts and humanities programmes prompts calls for more strategic approach to university provision
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 20, 2024 at 9:24 AM
1/ 📢Disadvantaged students suffer as subject ‘cold spots’ develop. This @timeshighered.bsky.social article reveals a troubling trend: disadvantaged students losing access to key university subjects, deepening inequality. #socialmobility
🔗 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/course-...
🔗 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/course-...