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Lee Elliot Major is a trailblazer. Specifically, he’s the UK’s first social mobility professor. Recently, he spoke with Finito World. This happened just before he secured public funding for tutoring. For Major, social mobility isn’t political. “It’s a cross-party issue,” he says. Therefore, he stays neutral. Instead, he focuses on practical fixes. His aim? To help people rise, no matter their background.
Social mobility sparks debate in the UK. Why? Because it’s tough to crack. For instance, many kids from poor homes stay stuck. Meanwhile, rich kids climb fast. Major wants that to change. Previously, he worked at the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). There, he sought answers. “I’ve always wanted practical ways forward,” he explains. Consequently, he relies on evidence. For example, the EEF ran hundreds of trials. Plus, they reviewed thousands of studies. These show what boosts learning for disadvantaged kids.
Moreover, poverty drags students down. Schools in rough areas struggle. Teachers face hurdles. Yet, some tricks work well. Thus, Major hunts for tools that help. Not just locally, but everywhere. Scaling up matters most. So, he sticks to facts, not guesses.
What helps best? First, classroom-teacher feedback stands out. Major calls it “the heart of good schooling.” Why? Because it’s simple and effective. Teachers give quick tips. Then, kids improve fast. Studies prove this. For instance, the EEF saw grade jumps. Plus, it’s cheap to do.
Next, one-to-one tutoring shines. “It’s a game-changer,” Major says. A tutor works with a student. Together, they solve problems. Results climb, especially for strugglers. “Tutoring is easy to expand,” he adds. Therefore, he wants it everywhere. No kid should miss out. Location shouldn’t limit them.
However, the system’s uneven. Some areas luck out. For example, London has charity tutoring. Kids there gain. Elsewhere, though, it’s bare. Rural spots lack help. City edges do too. This bothers Major. During Covid-19, things worsened. Private tutoring boomed for the wealthy. Poor families lagged. “Now’s the time to make it fairer,” he urges. Thus, he pitches a National Tutoring Service. It could fight education inequality.
Meanwhile, Major sees hope. Young people love volunteering. “They care about fairness,” he says. Also, “They want to help.” Teens and twenty-somethings jump in. Some tutor for free. Others join groups. This thrills Major. So, he wants to tap into it.
Then, a win came. The Johnson government funded tutoring. Major cheered. “It’s a step toward justice,” he says. For instance, a teen tutors a kid. That kid masters math. Confidence grows. Thus, disadvantage weakens. Major loves this pattern.
Still, gaps linger. Not every place has volunteers. Some schools can’t manage. Funding helps, but it’s limited. Nevertheless, Major pushes on. He wants a full system. A National Tutoring Service could link it all. It’d connect helpers to kids nationwide.
Education isn’t everything. Workplace inequality hits hard too. Studies show why. Often, senior staff mentor juniors. But who benefits? Usually, it’s wealthy kids. They share schools or families. Others miss out.
So, Major suggests a fix. “What about mentoring?” he asks. Leaders could guide new talent. Specifically, those from tough starts. “It might fit a national service,” he says. Imagine a worker in Manchester. She’s smart but unsure. A mentor helps. Soon, she’s rising.
However, it’s not easy. Take creative jobs. Talent alone won’t cut it. Culture blocks outsiders. For example, an artist in Leeds struggles. She’s skilled. Yet, London’s cliques ignore her. Mentoring could help. Still, Major cautions. “It’s not enough,” he says. Deep unfairness stays. A program might just dent it.
Moreover, some firms resist. They cling to old habits. Hiring stays unfair. Mentoring aids a few. But systems don’t budge. Thus, Major weighs options. Practicality guides him.
People split on social mobility. Some demand fairness. “Make it equal,” they say. Others push money. “Growth solves it,” they argue. Major balances both. “How big should we dream?” he wonders. Both sides make sense. Yet, neither wins alone.
For instance, education offers control. It’s taxpayer-funded. Government can act. Major likes that. “We can try stuff,” he says. Workplaces differ. Companies run them. Influence fades. Laws only nudge. So, change crawls.
Nevertheless, Major stays grounded. He skips wild ideas. Evidence leads him. For example, tutoring works. Data shows it. Mentoring might too. But it’s less clear. Thus, he’s careful. Big goals need solid steps. Otherwise, they fail.
Then, Covid-19 struck. Everything flipped. The government moved fast. For instance, they paid wages. Businesses survived. Major saw potential. “This is the boldest government I’ve seen,” he says. Why? Because it’s a rare shot. Policy could leap ahead.
Could this fix big issues? Education inequality ranks high. Social mobility follows. Major’s pumped. “It’s a chance,” he says. Old rules shattered. Government stepped up. Tutoring got cash. Volunteers rose. Maybe fairness could last.
Or perhaps not. Old ways stick. After Covid-19, will habits return? Major hopes not. “Keep the good stuff,” he urges. A fairer system feels near. Covid-19 shook things up. Now, new moves can play out.
For example, schools suffered. Lockdowns hit poor kids hardest. They fell behind. Tutoring stepped in. Government funds fueled it. Could that stay? Major thinks yes. He sees a lasting shift. Not just a patch.
Fairness drives Major. “Society can’t lock people out,” he warns. Generations hurt. Kids grow up hopeless. Anger builds. “They might revolt,” he says. History agrees. When chances vanish, people fight.
So, his fix is bold. A National Tutoring Service could lead. Every kid would get support. Rich or poor, city or country—it’d be equal. Tutors would help. Gaps would shrink. “It’s simple but strong,” he says. Evidence backs him. Trials show tutoring lifts scores. Plus, it builds grit.
Moreover, volunteers could power it. Funding would lock it in. Major wants a name. “Make it known,” he says. A trusted service. It’d tie to mentoring too. Kids get tutors. Workers get guides. The plan connects.
His book lays it out. It’s What Do We Know and What Should We Do About Social Mobility? Published by SAGE, it’s full of facts. Major blends data with hope. He’s studied this forever. Tutoring stands tall. Mentoring tags along. Both could shift things.
For instance, picture a kid in Birmingham. She’s bright but poor. A tutor aids her reading. She catches up. Later, a mentor shapes her career. She gets a job. That’s the goal. Spread it across the UK. Change grows.
Still, it’s hard. Cash is tight. Politics sway. Yet, Major stays upbeat. Covid-19 opened paths. Government acted. “Grab this moment,” he says. A fairer U
