Education leaders from Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall convened at the University of Exeter’s Innovation Hub for a landmark mini-conference aimed at addressing social inequality and boosting life chances for students across the South West. The “Equity in Education” event, co-hosted by the South West Social Mobility Commission (SWSMC) and Policy@Exeter, served as a rallying point for transforming how schools support disadvantaged learners.
A central focus of the conference was the unveiling of the Equity Scorecard — a groundbreaking self-assessment tool designed to help schools identify and close gaps in educational equity. The tool allows school leaders to evaluate how well they are meeting the needs of students who face the most significant obstacles to academic success, using data-driven insights to guide school improvement strategies.
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Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West and one of the panel contributors, highlighted the importance of the initiative. “Ensuring every child has equal access to opportunity is the most pressing challenge we face in education,” he said. “The Equity Scorecard gives schools a smart, strategic way to evaluate their own practice, ask tough questions, and drive meaningful change.”
He added, “At Education South West, we’re committed to raising ambitions and pushing back against the barriers that limit potential. Tools like the Scorecard are a vital part of reshaping how schools think about inclusion and aspiration.”
The conference brought together a diverse group of educators and trust leaders who have been trialing the Scorecard tool in their own institutions. Through panel sessions and real-world case studies, participants shared innovative approaches to making education more equitable — from revamping behaviour policies and broadening personal development opportunities to using data to track pupil vulnerability and raising expectations for all learners.
One of the keynote speakers, Professor Lee Elliot Major — the UK’s first professor of social mobility — praised the initiative’s collaborative, school-led approach. “Real progress happens when schools are empowered to lead change, not when it’s imposed from above,” he noted. Calling the Equity Scorecard “a practical, popular tool,” he emphasised its potential to bridge the gap between policy ambitions and the everyday realities in classrooms.
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The pilot program’s findings are expected to be published later in 2025, offering insights into how the Scorecard has impacted the schools involved. Organisers also announced that development is already underway on a primary version of the tool, set to launch in early 2026.
The conference underscored a shared commitment to transforming the South West’s education landscape. As schools continue to grapple with widening attainment gaps, the Equity Scorecard stands out as a promising new approach — one grounded in local knowledge, practical action, and a vision of fairness for every learner.
