Top policy priorities

Evidence-based policy change is urgently needed. Drawing on the breadth of our work, we have identified three top priorities for action.

High quality early years education for all

How the next government can prevent widening inequality in access and a deterioration in quality of provision.

Read our policy briefing

A national strategy to close the attainment gap

School funding, great teaching, access to tutoring and tackling poverty are key to closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

Read our policy briefing

A more progressive higher education funding system

Maintenance grants should be re-introduced and overall maintenance levels should be increased, to reflect the true cost of living.

Read our policy briefing

Latest policy news

Our insights on the latest policy developments and announcements.

19 Apr 2024

Balancing budgets: Schools forced to make increasing cuts to staff and activities amid funding crisis

Our Senior Schools Engagement Manager, Charley O'Regan, discusses the financial issues facing schools.

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21 Mar 2024

Time to end travesty of poorest students racking up highest debts

What are the options for reforming the student maintenance system?

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04 Mar 2024

The pre-election Budget: Time to show ambition on improving social mobility in education

What action on education should be taken by the Chancellor in the Budget?

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14 Nov 2023

Sutton Trust Cabinet Analysis 2023

Where were members of the new cabinet educated?

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13 Oct 2023

What have we learned from the Labour Party Conference?

Developments related to education and social mobility at the Labour Party Conference.

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06 Oct 2023

What have we learned from the Conservative Party Conference?

What are the key takeaways from Conservative Party Conference?

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28 Sep 2023

What have we learned from the Lib Dem Party Conference?

Our breakdown of education and social mobility developments at the Lib Dem's conference.

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Research & Policy analysis

Our agenda-setting research and analysis examines the state of play from the early years right up to the workplace, with practical policy solutions for the next government.

Selective Comprehensives 2024

Our latest research highlighting the issues with school admissions.

Read the research

Student Maintenance Analysis 2023

Are current maintenance levels enough to support university students?

Read the research

Sutton Trust Cabinet Analysis 2023

Where were members of the new cabinet educated?

Read the research

School Funding and Pupil Premium 2024

Shedding light on the growing funding pressures on schools.

Read the research

Cost of Living and University Students

How are students being impacted by the increasing cost of living?

Read the research

Cost of Living and Education

What impact is the cost of living crisis having on pupils?

Read the research

Advocating for social mobility

Read about our latest work to inform and influence change.

21 Mar 2024

Taken for granted? Reforming student maintenance

Unpacking the conclusions from our policy briefing on student maintenance.

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22 Feb 2024

Closing the attainment gap should be a priority for the next government

Kevin Latham analyses the findings from our policy briefing on the attainment gap.

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24 Jan 2024

Lack of policy action risks widening attainment gap and worsening the quality of education for all young children

More from our General Election policy briefing on the early years.

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22 Nov 2023

Sutton Trust comment on the Autumn Statement

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the Autumn Statement this month.

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06 Jul 2023

Sutton Trust response to Labour’s Opportunity Mission speech

Our Founder, Sir Peter Lampl, responds to Labour's Opportunity Mission speech.

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Events

Our General Election events bring together expert panels to discuss the priorities for the next government and explore the latest developments.

General Election 2024: What are the prospects for early years education?

Our expert panel explores what policymakers have in store for the early years ahead of the election.

Watch the recording

General Election 2024: What will it take to close the attainment gap?

Taking a closer look at the primary drivers of the attainment gap and what can be done to close the gap between pupils.

Watch the recording