Sign in

Sarah Waite

@sarahjwaite.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1.2K following 150 posts

Former teacher & Labour education adviser, now CEO of @getfurther.bsky.social #loveourcolleges

PostsRepliesMedia
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
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.
5104
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
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...
142
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
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.
121
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
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.
120
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
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.
1252
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
From the noises coming from the living room, am I to understand that Arsenal may have won something?
010
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
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
200
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
📈 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
3183
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
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
getfurther.org.uk
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...
011
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Kevin Latham @kevinlatham.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
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...
theguardian.com
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
011
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
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👇
041
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
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.
122
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
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.
120
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Simon Pegg @simonpegg.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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...
metro.co.uk
'We invited a homeless man for dinner - he stayed for 45 years'
The man was only meant to stay for a day.
12461198
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
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
181
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Imagine if Top of the Pops still existed
041
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Maybe the answer to political apathy, trust, and populism is for everyone to be a local councillor for a few weeks.
1318952
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Incredibly moving piece.
010
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
🙌 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.
133
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
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!
011
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Good explanation by @jonhutchinson.bsky.social of what comparable outcomes does - tackling some of the misinformation that gets circulated every GCSE results day 👇
020
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
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.
021
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
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...
newstatesman.com
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.
072
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
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
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
110
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
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… #MathsEducation #AI
feweek.co.uk
000
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Last year, college/FE teachers were left out of the school teacher pay rise. A baffling, unjust omission (yes, I made grumpy posts). What a difference a year makes. Today’s funding uplift for all 16-19 colleges and providers to match school teacher pay is hugely welcome. 👏 #loveourcolleges
130
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Big news - @getfurther.bsky.social has been shortlisted for The Charity Awards 2025! So proud to see our work recognised. Huge thanks to the students, tutors, colleges, funders, staff and trustees who made this happen - this one’s for you. #CharityAwards #GetFurther #ProudMoment
020
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Today, The Sutton Trust published its Opportunity Index. Two constituencies, 22 minutes apart by train - and a world apart in opportunity. #6 - Cities of London and Westminster #467 - Reading Central
121
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
English education is unequal. The % of year 11s with a private tutor has more than doubled in a decade. Yet policies to provide free tutoring to those who can’t afford it were stopped👇 Fifth of state pupils have private tutor at GCSE (and it’s not cheap) www.thetimes.com/article/7e9f...
thetimes.com
Fifth of state pupils have private tutor at GCSE (and it’s not cheap)
Some have one helper per subject and there are even residential courses at £2,000 a week
020
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Loved using a maternity KIT day to attend the launch of this brilliant report - State-funded Tutoring for the Future—with baby Ciarán along for the ride! 👶🏻 www.publicfirst.co.uk/wp-content/u...
110
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
My husband is going to laugh if he ever sees I posted this, but one unexpected thing since moving back to Reading - the buses are good! Our town ranks in the top ten for bus passenger satisfaction. 👇
030
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Bleak. And against a backdrop of a rise in the number of young people who are NEET.
010
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
📢 The Maths Horizons Project interim findings are in. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with brilliant maths specialists and educators as part of the Project’s Executive Group.👇
110
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
📖 Cheer yourself up this #BlueMonday by reading @aliceeardley.bsky.social’s piece in @feweek.bsky.social which sets out @getfurther.bsky.social’s optimistic vision for post-16 English and maths education. #loveourcolleges #gcseresits #furthereducation #curriculum #assessment #educationpolicy
041
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
✨ Lovely to wrap up 2024 with hearing some amazing news! ✨ Huge congratulations to Fiona Morey, trustee at @getfurther.bsky.social & Exec Principal at South Bank Colleges, on being awarded an OBE! 🎉 Fiona has unwavering dedication to learners in FE. This recognition is so well deserved. 👏
121
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Get Further @getfurther.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Last week, the OECD Adult Skills Survey reported major improvements in the literacy & numeracy of England's young adults. In @feweek.bsky.social, @sarahjwaite.bsky.social explores the policies leading to this, the vital role FE played & how we can keep driving up skills. Link in the thread below 👇
Three quotes from the article: “The number of young people in England who hold a level 2 English or maths qualifications by the age of 19 is now the highest it has ever been”
“More young people from low-income backgrounds achieve a standard pass in GCSE English and maths in 16-19 education than their wealthier peers, leading to a slight narrowing of the attainment gap by age 19.”
“This is a testament to the dedication and efforts of teachers in the further education sector, as well as to the importance of policies that create opportunities for lifelong learning.”
121
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
🚨 My final article before heading off on maternity leave is out! 📚 I reflect on the OECD adult skills survey findings and what they reveal about two decades of education policy reforms. A quick thread: 🧵 📖 feweek.co.uk/we-must-secu...
feweek.co.uk
We must secure 10 more years of progress on essential skills
The latest OECD results call for celebration, but also for reflection on the policies that got us here
164
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
👇Taking place right now - join us on your lunch break to hear how competitive England compares to other countries when it comes to literacy and numeracy skills 🤓 #PIAAC #educationpolicy
011
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
💻 Join @learnworkuk.bsky.social’s online event today exploring the latest findings on international skills. I’m speaking about why the results for young people in England are one of the eye-catching headlines - and what this tells us about education policy changes over the past 10-20 years.
201
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
📰 Read my piece in FE Week on why @getfurther.bsky.social’s trial with the EEF has the potential to pave the way for additional funding for #furthereducation - and why we need the help of colleges to make this a reality. #loveourcolleges feweek.co.uk/our-new-tria...
feweek.co.uk
How a new trial could change your resitters's fortunes
This is a rare chance to build strong evidence of further education's impact - and you can be part of it
160
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Ian Pryce CBE @ipryce.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
This is so good to see. @getfurther.bsky.social is exactly the sort of credible organisation we need in FE, and exactly the sort of recognition we need from the Education Endowment Foundation. Well done @sarahjwaite.bsky.social & team
132
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
This is great news. Really important area (helping young people with English & maths), a great programme, and set up to give robust results. We need more of this sort of thing.
111
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
I’m thrilled to announce that in the next academic year we’ll be partnering with the EEF and University of Warwick to deliver a landmark Randomised Control Trial evaluating the effectiveness of @getfurther.bsky.social’s Resits Tuition Programme in further education.1/4 feweek.co.uk/eef-splashes...
feweek.co.uk
GCSE resits: EEF splashes record cash on research
Nearly £1.3m committed for post-16 English and maths trials
3162
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
ASCL’s CAR response references the “forgotten third”. But today, 84% of 19-year-olds hold a standard pass at GCSE and 81% for maths. If we include 16-19 education, the forgotten third is not a third… Important that the Association of School AND College Leaders does not forget the work of colleges.
121
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
This is remarkable really. I worry that post-pandemic, the gap will have emerged again - but a phenomenal achievement that state schools were actually outperforming private schools in English, maths and science right up to when the pandemic hit.
011
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Please welcome (and follow) my lovely @getfurther.bsky.social colleagues to BlueSky, @connielawfull.bsky.social and @winter-jasmine.bsky.social 👋
030
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
3. Better news on young people. 1 in 3 without Level 2 English & maths at 16 now have it at 19. That's tripled over last decade. But still need to do better, improve support & avoid exam treadmill. @sarahjwaite.bsky.social doing great work on this.
121
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Get Further @getfurther.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Hello, Bluesky! 👋 If you don't know us, we’re a charity founded by @sarahjwaite.bsky.social that exists to support FE students from disadvantaged backgrounds to secure English & maths qualifications that unlock opportunities. We look forward to connecting with the #furthereducation community here.
1113
Sarah Waite @sarahjwaite.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Welcome @getfurther.bsky.social to BlueSky. Follow to find out more about our charity and our plans to partner with FE providers to drive up pass rates in post-16 English and maths.
011
Reposted by Sarah Waite
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Good starter pack for those interested in Further Education. 👇
022