Those at a private school are twice as likely to have been encouraged to apply to a Russell Group university compared to state school students.
A new report from social mobility group Zero Gravity, has found that there's far more than meets the eye in the difference between state and private schools.
After an interactive art piece hinting at the report's findings in Leeds last week, the report is finally ready to go public.
Mind The Education Gap was installed on Lands Lane in Leeds city centre last week. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The study has found that, "in line with popular belief, the power of networks often starts at home", finding that almost two thirds of students from middle class backgrounds (64%) believe their family has the knowledge to assist them with their university application, whereas 43% of those from working class backgrounds had the same opinion.
One important finding is the knowledge to help with a university application gap narrows to 8% when comparing state educated with private school students, which the reports explains as a suggestion "that the affluence of family members is more important in driving perceptions of direct family support than school type".
The study also found that networking was significantly different, depending on what school students attended. Compared to state school students, private school students are:
More than twice as likely to know an accountant (7% v 16%)
Twice as likely to know a doctor (13% v 25%)
Four times as likely to know a lawyer (8% v 36%)
Seven times as likely to know a banker (2% v 14%)
Seven times as likely to know a politician (2% v 14%)
Students at private schools are also 24% more likely to imagine themselves attending a Russell Group university and 59% of state educated students worry they wouldn’t have the same economic support as others at university, compared to 6% of privately educated pupils, according to the Zero Gravity report.
Joe Seddon, Founder and CEO of Zero Gravity issued the report after being inspired by his own experience of transitioning from a state school to applying and attending the University of Oxford.
"It may surprise some fee-paying parents that the level of in-school support with university applications reported by state school pupils is mostly in line with that received at private schools (see below). Beyond a handful of aberrations, state school pupils are receiving on average no less contact time than their fee-paying peers. " - Zero Gap Report
Determined to ensure social mobility doesn't reflect on other students, Joe founded Zero Gravity, a mentoring platform that has aided over 3000 students from low-income backgrounds in their university application process and beyond, stating: "we’re now mentoring these students into the UK’s leading graduate employers across finance, law, professional services, and technology - ensuring our members are defined by their potential, not by a postcode lottery."
After conducting its own report, the company can reveal that access to a professional network is a strong predictor of a student’s likelihood to apply and win a place at elite universities.
"Talent is spread evenly, but opportunity is not." Joe explains in the Foreword of the report.
"This fact of life is so embarrassingly obvious that it often goes unsaid. However, things don’t have to be this way. Western societies have evolved dramatically over the past two centuries to spread opportunities more widely and open access to elite institutions."
The study concludes that "until access to a professional network is no longer determined by birth, geography or education, the link between background and opportunity will not be broken [...] but the way things are is not the way things have to be."
Zero Gravity is just one example of a social-led enterprise that's striving to close the gap of networking, knowledge and expectation between state and private schools.
So far this year, 78% of Zero Gravity students have won a place at their first-choice university, so that "both talent and opportunity can be evenly spread."
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Major plans announced for Leeds Christmas Markets 2026 – food, drinks, stalls and more
Thomas Melia
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Sophie Smith -
11th October 2022 
