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Study on Social Mobility after Coronavirus to Track Year 11 Cohort

Covid-19

A new longitudinal study looking at social mobility and opportunities for young people post-Coronavirus has been launched today. The Covid Social Mobility and Opportunities Study (COSMO) is a collaboration between the Sutton Trust, the UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) and the Centre for Longitudinal Studies. The project will collect data from 12,000 young people from Year 11 in the academic year 2020-21 across England. The study will ensure that it samples disadvantaged, ethnic minority and hard-to-reach groups to reflect the full range of experiences of the pandemic. The first wave of the study will collect data on:

  • Disruption to schooling and home learning
  • Financial impacts of the pandemic
  • Family health and wellbeing
  • Cancelled exams and teacher assessed grades
  • Transitions to sixth form, further education and apprenticeships


Families will be contacted randomly by mail and over 500 schools will also be selected to take part. Schools are asked to encourage parents who receive a letter to take part so their voice can be heard. The study is supported by many parties including the Department for Education and the Education Endowment Foundation.