Can community-based interventions on aspirations raise young people's attainment?

Lupton, R. and Kintrea, K. (2011) Can community-based interventions on aspirations raise young people's attainment? Social Policy and Society, 10(03), pp. 321-335. (doi: 10.1017/S1474746411000054)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1474746411000054

Abstract

Against the background of the ‘Inspiring Communities’ programme to raise ‘communitylevel’ educational aspirations in England, this article considers whether the existing evidence about place and aspirations suggests that it will be beneficial. We address three questions: Do neighbourhoods have an influence on educational attainment? Are ‘community level’ aspirations a mechanism by which neighbourhoods affect individual aspirations? Is there evidence that aspirations are lower in poor neighbourhoods? The article suggests that the available evidence does not lead to firm conclusions; a key problem is that few studies have measured aspirations at a neighbourhood level. It suggests that limited spending on a pilot is a reasonable response. However, aspirations are shaped by a wide range of other influences. This suggests that any interventions on ‘community’ aspirations’ should be conjoined with other programmes to support schools and to address inequalities between neighbourhoods.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kintrea, Professor Keith
Authors: Lupton, R., and Kintrea, K.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Social Policy and Society
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:1474-7464
ISSN (Online):1475-3073
Published Online:01 January 2011
Copyright Holders:Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011
First Published:First published in Social Policy and Society 2011 10 (3);321-325
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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