What is the Opportunity Cohort?
The Sutton Trust Opportunity Cohort is a group of over 2,000 young people participating in the COSMO Study with high academic potential and from less well-off backgrounds. This is a group particularly important for social mobility. To enable a greater understanding of the experiences of and challenges faced by these young people in particular, the size of this group has been augmented with the addition of a ‘boost’ sample.
The Sutton Trust’s core work has a focus on championing social mobility and its programmes are targeted towards young people with similar characteristics. The participation of the Opportunity Cohort will bolster the COSMO Study’s capacity to understand the educational trajectories of this group, the barriers they face and what support they need to make the most of their potential.
The Sutton Trust will publish findings about the experiences of this group and will also draw on the evidence they provide to inform the Trust’s wider work.
Group definition
The group includes those who were eligible for free school meals at any point during their secondary education who had achieved in the top third of scores in English and maths at the end of primary school.
Objectives
The purpose of the Opportunity Cohort work is to generate a sample size large enough to understand the characteristics and experiences of this group in greater detail, not possible in other surveys. In particular:
To understand how the characteristics and experiences of this group differ from other pupils from similar socio-economic backgrounds.
To understand how the experiences and future trajectories of this group compare with pupils of similar academic ability from more advantaged backgrounds.
To understand which characteristics and experiences of those within the group are associated with future educational success and ultimately social mobility
Support
The inclusion of the Sutton Trust Opportunity Cohort in the COSMO Study has been made possible by funding provided by XTX Markets. XTX Markets is an algorithmic trading firm whose aim is to be the leading financial technology firm for fair and efficient markets. XTX Markets is a major donor in the UK and globally, with a belief in supporting progress in society and assisting its local communities.