Sarah Waite
@sarahjwaite.bsky.social
Former teacher & Labour education adviser, now CEO of @getfurther.bsky.social #loveourcolleges
Pinned
Sarah Waite
@sarahjwaite.bsky.social
· Apr 28
Today, we are proud to join a coalition of 14 leading social mobility and education organisations calling for a Student Premium to end the funding cliff edge faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds at age 16. Read all about it in @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Calls for ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged young people after GCSEs
Social mobility groups say post-16 funding gap risks young people falling out of education, work and training
www.theguardian.com
Disadvantage funding shouldn't drop off a cliff at 16.
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
A big life update 👇
It’s hard to put into words my feelings at leaving Get Further, the charity I founded in 2018.
But working for the new Education Secretary is an incredible opportunity to use everything I’ve learned to ensure that young people in FE get the attention they deserve in policy.
It’s hard to put into words my feelings at leaving Get Further, the charity I founded in 2018.
But working for the new Education Secretary is an incredible opportunity to use everything I’ve learned to ensure that young people in FE get the attention they deserve in policy.
➕ Get Further founder @sarahjwaite.bsky.social has been appointed a special adviser to education secretary Lucy Powell
feweek.co.uk/powell-hires...
feweek.co.uk/powell-hires...
Powell hires Get Further boss as special adviser
Sarah Waite joins the education secretary's political team after nine years running the tuition charity
feweek.co.uk
August 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
A big life update 👇
It’s hard to put into words my feelings at leaving Get Further, the charity I founded in 2018.
But working for the new Education Secretary is an incredible opportunity to use everything I’ve learned to ensure that young people in FE get the attention they deserve in policy.
It’s hard to put into words my feelings at leaving Get Further, the charity I founded in 2018.
But working for the new Education Secretary is an incredible opportunity to use everything I’ve learned to ensure that young people in FE get the attention they deserve in policy.
With Lucy Powell newly appointed as Secretary of State for Education, it is timely of @feweek.bsky.social to publish their profile interview of me.
feweek.co.uk/waite-and-se...
feweek.co.uk/waite-and-se...
July 24, 2026 at 2:13 PM
With Lucy Powell newly appointed as Secretary of State for Education, it is timely of @feweek.bsky.social to publish their profile interview of me.
feweek.co.uk/waite-and-se...
feweek.co.uk/waite-and-se...
No.10 may be moving north - wherever it moves to, we’ll keep calling on the government to address the cliff edge in disadvantage funding at age 16.
June 30, 2026 at 2:07 PM
No.10 may be moving north - wherever it moves to, we’ll keep calling on the government to address the cliff edge in disadvantage funding at age 16.
It was brilliant to meet with the Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, yesterday. I appreciate the time she gave to discuss key issues affecting the young people that Get Further supports, including
📉 Disadvantaged funding for 16-19-year-olds, and the work of the Student Premium Coalition.
📉 Disadvantaged funding for 16-19-year-olds, and the work of the Student Premium Coalition.
June 19, 2026 at 9:18 AM
It was brilliant to meet with the Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, yesterday. I appreciate the time she gave to discuss key issues affecting the young people that Get Further supports, including
📉 Disadvantaged funding for 16-19-year-olds, and the work of the Student Premium Coalition.
📉 Disadvantaged funding for 16-19-year-olds, and the work of the Student Premium Coalition.
The diagnostic report on the Youth NEETs crisis published today makes for a difficult read.
It rightly reaffirms that a lack of basic qualifications remains the single largest contributor to NEET risk. And it emphasises the role that underinvestment in further education has played in this crisis.
It rightly reaffirms that a lack of basic qualifications remains the single largest contributor to NEET risk. And it emphasises the role that underinvestment in further education has played in this crisis.
May 28, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The diagnostic report on the Youth NEETs crisis published today makes for a difficult read.
It rightly reaffirms that a lack of basic qualifications remains the single largest contributor to NEET risk. And it emphasises the role that underinvestment in further education has played in this crisis.
It rightly reaffirms that a lack of basic qualifications remains the single largest contributor to NEET risk. And it emphasises the role that underinvestment in further education has played in this crisis.
From the noises coming from the living room, am I to understand that Arsenal may have won something?
May 19, 2026 at 8:29 PM
From the noises coming from the living room, am I to understand that Arsenal may have won something?
Fascinating - and bleak - piece in the @financialtimes.com today, making a compelling case on the link between declining birth rates and smartphone use.
Worth reflecting on, amid debate about technology’s role in education, and implications for how humans develop social skills / build relationships
Worth reflecting on, amid debate about technology’s role in education, and implications for how humans develop social skills / build relationships
Interesting long read from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com making the case that declining birth rates are particularly tied up with the rise of smartphones and therefore fewer people in relationships, which in turn leads to fewer kids
www.ft.com/content/fba3...
www.ft.com/content/fba3...
May 16, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Fascinating - and bleak - piece in the @financialtimes.com today, making a compelling case on the link between declining birth rates and smartphone use.
Worth reflecting on, amid debate about technology’s role in education, and implications for how humans develop social skills / build relationships
Worth reflecting on, amid debate about technology’s role in education, and implications for how humans develop social skills / build relationships
📈 The NEET crisis is one of the bleakest challenges that the government is grappling with right now, affecting nearly 1 million young people.
📰 Read my piece in FE Week, calling for government to stop slashing disadvantage funding at age 16, as part of the solution👇
#StudentPremium #SocialMobility
📰 Read my piece in FE Week, calling for government to stop slashing disadvantage funding at age 16, as part of the solution👇
#StudentPremium #SocialMobility
Youth NEET rates are soaring, yet every summer, we allow funding for supporting the education outcomes of young people facing disadvantage to fall away.
@sarahjwaite.bsky.social's piece in @feweek.bsky.social explores why we must resolve this to tackle the NEET crisis: feweek.co.uk/we-cant-tack...
@sarahjwaite.bsky.social's piece in @feweek.bsky.social explores why we must resolve this to tackle the NEET crisis: feweek.co.uk/we-cant-tack...
We can’t tackle NEET numbers without fixing 16-19 funding
The system removes targeted disadvantage funding at 16, creating a gap that adds to NEET risk
feweek.co.uk
May 15, 2026 at 8:52 AM
📈 The NEET crisis is one of the bleakest challenges that the government is grappling with right now, affecting nearly 1 million young people.
📰 Read my piece in FE Week, calling for government to stop slashing disadvantage funding at age 16, as part of the solution👇
#StudentPremium #SocialMobility
📰 Read my piece in FE Week, calling for government to stop slashing disadvantage funding at age 16, as part of the solution👇
#StudentPremium #SocialMobility
Reposted by Sarah Waite
We're pleased to be supporting the Student Premium Coalition!
This campaign is focussed on ensuring disadvantaged students are supported to successfully progress into further study, training or work. ✅
Find out more: getfurther.org.uk/student-prem...
@getfurther.bsky.social
This campaign is focussed on ensuring disadvantaged students are supported to successfully progress into further study, training or work. ✅
Find out more: getfurther.org.uk/student-prem...
@getfurther.bsky.social
Student Premium Coalition - Get Further
Student Premium Coalition Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face a sharp drop in targeted support at age 16 – just as they face a critical transition and defining moment in education. We are...
getfurther.org.uk
April 30, 2026 at 1:22 PM
We're pleased to be supporting the Student Premium Coalition!
This campaign is focussed on ensuring disadvantaged students are supported to successfully progress into further study, training or work. ✅
Find out more: getfurther.org.uk/student-prem...
@getfurther.bsky.social
This campaign is focussed on ensuring disadvantaged students are supported to successfully progress into further study, training or work. ✅
Find out more: getfurther.org.uk/student-prem...
@getfurther.bsky.social
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Great article today in the Guardian on the launch of the campaign for a post-16 student premium which ST is also supporting. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Calls for ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged young people after GCSEs
Social mobility groups say post-16 funding gap risks young people falling out of education, work and training
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Great article today in the Guardian on the launch of the campaign for a post-16 student premium which ST is also supporting. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Disadvantage funding shouldn't drop off a cliff at 16.
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
Today, we are proud to join a coalition of 14 leading social mobility and education organisations calling for a Student Premium to end the funding cliff edge faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds at age 16. Read all about it in @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Calls for ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged young people after GCSEs
Social mobility groups say post-16 funding gap risks young people falling out of education, work and training
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Disadvantage funding shouldn't drop off a cliff at 16.
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
I’m in @theguardian.com today discussing the launch of the Student Premium Coalition.
It’s time for funding to follow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their whole compulsory education.
Read more below👇
After hearing the Prime Minister commit to making further education a defining cause for the government in his conference speech, I made sure that one of my first actions on returning from maternity leave was to ask advisors how @getfurther.bsky.social can help.
January 20, 2026 at 2:29 PM
After hearing the Prime Minister commit to making further education a defining cause for the government in his conference speech, I made sure that one of my first actions on returning from maternity leave was to ask advisors how @getfurther.bsky.social can help.
Well, 2025 flew by! 💫
I’m back from mat leave and already this week have visited DWP to talk about @getfurther.bsky.social’s new programme supporting young people who are NEET to gain key gateway qualifications & access jobs & training. Built with care & compassion, I know it’ll be a game-changer.
I’m back from mat leave and already this week have visited DWP to talk about @getfurther.bsky.social’s new programme supporting young people who are NEET to gain key gateway qualifications & access jobs & training. Built with care & compassion, I know it’ll be a game-changer.
Our new Functional Skills programme for NEET young people launches today! Working in partnership with @essex_cc as part of Essex Year of Opportunity, this programme will support young people to gain confidence. qualifications and skills in an accessible, community-based environment.
January 16, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Well, 2025 flew by! 💫
I’m back from mat leave and already this week have visited DWP to talk about @getfurther.bsky.social’s new programme supporting young people who are NEET to gain key gateway qualifications & access jobs & training. Built with care & compassion, I know it’ll be a game-changer.
I’m back from mat leave and already this week have visited DWP to talk about @getfurther.bsky.social’s new programme supporting young people who are NEET to gain key gateway qualifications & access jobs & training. Built with care & compassion, I know it’ll be a game-changer.
Reposted by Sarah Waite
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
'We invited a homeless man for dinner - he stayed for 45 years'
The man was only meant to stay for a day.
metro.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
For 7 years, @getfurther.bsky.social has been focused on improving GCSE resit pass rates. We turned that learning into policy ideas, rooted in a deep understanding of the students & belief in their potential.
Delighted the Gov’t is progressing our proposal for a new L1 English &maths stepping-stone
Delighted the Gov’t is progressing our proposal for a new L1 English &maths stepping-stone
We are delighted that yesterday’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper included the introduction of new level 1 stepping stone qualifications in GCSE English and maths.
Read our full statement on our blog: getfurther.org.uk/post-16-educ...
And highlights in the thread below 👇
Read our full statement on our blog: getfurther.org.uk/post-16-educ...
And highlights in the thread below 👇
Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper - Our Response - Get Further
We are delighted that today’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper includes the introduction of new level 1 stepping stone qualifications in GCSE English and maths. These will support young people...
getfurther.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
For 7 years, @getfurther.bsky.social has been focused on improving GCSE resit pass rates. We turned that learning into policy ideas, rooted in a deep understanding of the students & belief in their potential.
Delighted the Gov’t is progressing our proposal for a new L1 English &maths stepping-stone
Delighted the Gov’t is progressing our proposal for a new L1 English &maths stepping-stone
Imagine if Top of the Pops still existed
These are the top ten songs on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. I think this is bad for society.
October 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Imagine if Top of the Pops still existed
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Maybe the answer to political apathy, trust, and populism is for everyone to be a local councillor for a few weeks.
*gasp*
October 6, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Maybe the answer to political apathy, trust, and populism is for everyone to be a local councillor for a few weeks.
Incredibly moving piece.
What it’s like to be Jewish in Britain now. The war in Gaza has exposed a level of anti-Semitism I didn’t realise was there. @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
The 7 October attacks changed what it means to be Jewish in Britain
The war in Gaza has exposed a level of anti-Semitism I didn’t realise was there
www.newstatesman.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Incredibly moving piece.
🙌 It’s exciting to hear the Prime Minister commit to ending further education’s ‘Cinderella’ status, with higher standards in colleges – and to set the ambition that two-thirds of young people will go on to university or a gold-standard apprenticeship.
September 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
🙌 It’s exciting to hear the Prime Minister commit to ending further education’s ‘Cinderella’ status, with higher standards in colleges – and to set the ambition that two-thirds of young people will go on to university or a gold-standard apprenticeship.
See below for one example of how GCSE resit results could be improved - by stamping out this sort of thing and actually teaching young people!
I’m not sure what happens at some centres but there was literally no teaching for students who retook Maths in Nov after their first ‘failure’. As if miraculously those students would acquire knowledge and understanding in their own!!
August 22, 2025 at 12:32 PM
See below for one example of how GCSE resit results could be improved - by stamping out this sort of thing and actually teaching young people!
Good explanation by @jonhutchinson.bsky.social of what comparable outcomes does - tackling some of the misinformation that gets circulated every GCSE results day 👇
No - it’s not true.
It’s a little complicated, but it would be possible for 100% of children nationally to receive a grade 9 in every subject.
Grades at GCSE are weakly criterion referenced, not norm referenced.
It’s a little complicated, but it would be possible for 100% of children nationally to receive a grade 9 in every subject.
Grades at GCSE are weakly criterion referenced, not norm referenced.
August 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Good explanation by @jonhutchinson.bsky.social of what comparable outcomes does - tackling some of the misinformation that gets circulated every GCSE results day 👇
A decade ago, I was critiquing Tory education reforms for Labour.
Today, I’m teaching my son to read using the very strategies former Schools Minister Nick Gibb championed.
In my @newstatesman.com review of Gibb’s book, I explore what he got right, what he missed, and how Labour could go further.
Today, I’m teaching my son to read using the very strategies former Schools Minister Nick Gibb championed.
In my @newstatesman.com review of Gibb’s book, I explore what he got right, what he missed, and how Labour could go further.
In a new book, the former schools minister Nick Gibb defends a strong, if controversial legacy.
What Bridget Phillipson can learn from Conservative education policy
www.newstatesman.com
August 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
A decade ago, I was critiquing Tory education reforms for Labour.
Today, I’m teaching my son to read using the very strategies former Schools Minister Nick Gibb championed.
In my @newstatesman.com review of Gibb’s book, I explore what he got right, what he missed, and how Labour could go further.
Today, I’m teaching my son to read using the very strategies former Schools Minister Nick Gibb championed.
In my @newstatesman.com review of Gibb’s book, I explore what he got right, what he missed, and how Labour could go further.
From Labour education adviser to mum with a phonics book - my @newstatesman.com review of former Schools Minister Nick Gibb’s book, Reforming Lessons.
🔗 www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
🔗 www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
What Bridget Phillipson can learn from Conservative education policy
In a new book, the former schools minister Nick Gibb defends a strong, if controversial legacy.
www.newstatesman.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
From Labour education adviser to mum with a phonics book - my @newstatesman.com review of former Schools Minister Nick Gibb’s book, Reforming Lessons.
🔗 www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
🔗 www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
As a former Labour education advisor & @teachfirst.bsky.social ambassador, I genuinely don’t believe anyone on the political side of government wants to undermine the impact of Teach First.
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Ministers step in to save Teach First | The Observer
Leading brand that trains teachers for most deprived areas of the UK to get reprieve after bureaucrats accused of trying to scrap it
observer.co.uk
July 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
As a former Labour education advisor & @teachfirst.bsky.social ambassador, I genuinely don’t believe anyone on the political side of government wants to undermine the impact of Teach First.
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The PM’s AI announcement is a reminder: AI is built on maths - data, algorithms, analytical thinking.
Yet too few continue maths after 16. I wrote about the @mathshorizons.bsky.social report’s call for a 16–19 maths entitlement 👇
🔗 feweek.co.uk/we-must-multip…#MathsEducationo#AIAI
Yet too few continue maths after 16. I wrote about the @mathshorizons.bsky.social report’s call for a 16–19 maths entitlement 👇
🔗 feweek.co.uk/we-must-multip…#MathsEducationo#AIAI
June 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The PM’s AI announcement is a reminder: AI is built on maths - data, algorithms, analytical thinking.
Yet too few continue maths after 16. I wrote about the @mathshorizons.bsky.social report’s call for a 16–19 maths entitlement 👇
🔗 feweek.co.uk/we-must-multip…#MathsEducationo#AIAI
Yet too few continue maths after 16. I wrote about the @mathshorizons.bsky.social report’s call for a 16–19 maths entitlement 👇
🔗 feweek.co.uk/we-must-multip…#MathsEducationo#AIAI