Our response to PISA's 2018 results

John Cope, CBI Head of Education & Skills policy, said:

“This year’s results confirm the UK is outperforming the PISA average, but there are some clear areas where improvement must happen.  Young people’s ability and potential is evenly spread across the country, yet opportunity for them to succeed is not.

“UK firms rightly want a world-class education system focusing on young people’s academic ability, as well as developing their character and emotional intelligence. Companies will therefore be concerned that the UK is below average on student’s life satisfaction scores.

“These results support the CBI’s own data that employers are stepping up and getting more involved in our education system – especially through careers advice and work experience.  Given the world of work is rapidly changing, partnerships between business and educators must continue to grow.

“Whoever forms the next Government, they must focus on getting employers even more engaged in education and help underperforming areas level up across the country.”