be_ixf;ym_202508 d_19; ct_50
Back to Impact

Impact report 2022-2023

A year of social action with City Year UK

“As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of the tremendous impact that one person can have on another’s life… it is the immeasurable growth that occurs when someone feels seen, heard and valued.” –Mariyah, City Year mentor, 2021-2022 and school service leader, 2022-2023

In its 2023 manifesto, the Fair Education Alliance stated: “Our current system isn’t giving young people from all backgrounds the skills employers need and it’s not giving them a positive experience of school either.” Youth social action offers a blueprint for a holistic response.

In this report, we will look at the difference City Year makes to pupils furthest from opportunity and to young adults about to start work. We’ll share our progress codifying ‘student success coaching’ as an integrated in-school programme and how delivering that coaching provides a skills boost, with implications for improved social mobility, earnings and job and life satisfaction. Last but not least, we will show how our donors, supporters and partners amplify our impact and without whom our programme would not be possible.

Read the full message from our Chief Executive and Chairman here

Mariyah and X’s City Year story

Mariyah explains how she mentored, coached and tutored a Year 10 student, X, to believe that he can succeed at school. In the process, she has become a leader.

Read more

The Social Mobility Commission, State of the Nation, 2023

‘Socio-economic disparities start early in life, before a child starts compulsory schooling and continue during those years. This is also the case for a person’s career in the labour market.’

Evidence shows that disadvantaged children may have been more severely impacted by disruptions in learning due to the pandemic than their better off peers:

At age 11

  • In 2021-2022, more than half (57%) of disadvantaged pupils didn’t achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to around a third of non-disadvantaged pupils (34%)
  • This gap has widened since before the pandemic from 20% in 2018-19 to 23%

At age 16

  • In 2021-2022, 70% of disadvantaged pupils didn’t achieve a 5 or above in maths and English, compared to 43% of all other pupils
  • Since 2018-2019, the gap has widened from 25% to 27%

Post 16

  • There is a 30% gap in Higher Education participation between those from the higher professional (51%) and the lower working classes (21%). This is one of the largest class inequalities that the Social Mobility Commission reports
  • Among young people with similar educational levels, there are significant socio-economic background pay gaps. Those from higher-professional backgrounds earn 18% more than those from a lower working-class background who have the same level of education

Social Mobility Commission, 2023, State of the Nation 2023: People and places

A voice that matters

"Being a City Year mentor means having a voice that matters.” –Mushtaq, City Year mentor

Read Mushtaq's story

Kindness and honesty

"By allowing students to understand teachers’ requirements and vice versa, you assist in closing the communication gap between them. Additionally, you serve as a mentor for your teammates by offering them advice and being honest with them." –Mushtaq, City Year mentor