Education, learning and attainment
Making up for lost time: understanding young people's hopes and expectations as we start to make up for lost time
Speakers for Schools · 2021
About this report
This report by Speakers for Schools, conducted in partnership with YouGov, explores the hopes, needs and expectations of young people aged 11–19 in the UK as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings show that young people prioritise work experience, mental health support, and tutoring to make up for lost time, and that they feel significantly let down by politicians and business leaders who overestimate their own understanding of young people's needs. The research also identifies a major "trust gap" between young people and decision-makers, with recommendations for government and employers to expand access to quality work experience and wellbeing support.
Research details
- Methodology
- SurveyInterviewMixed methods
- Sample size
- 2,113
- Sample
- Young people aged 11–19 from across the UK; also 100 MPs and 100 business leaders polled for comparison. Thirteen young people aged 14–19 who had undertaken work experience with Speakers for Schools were interviewed.
- Place
- UK-wide
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement