Lee Elliot Major writes for City AM.

London’s state schools are now feted across the world for their improved performance. But the gap between state and independent schools remains stark, particularly judged against the highest academic yardstick: entry into Oxbridge and other elite universities. One Sutton Trust study found that four independent schools and one college had more Oxbridge entrants than 2,000 comprehensives and colleges nationally. More worrying is the career prospects gap. Our research shows 60 per cent of leaders in the financial services sector are from independent schools, which make up only 7 per cent of schools. And the trend may be getting worse – 72 per cent of leaders aged 45 and under are privately educated. We propose means-tested fees at leading independent schools to improve social mobility. Last month, we announced a partnership with four major banks (Barclays, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Lloyds) to improve opportunities for talented state school students.

Dr Lee Elliot Major is director of development and policy at The Sutton Trust.

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