A COTSWOLD headteacher has spoken out about social mobility and how children who might not have strong social backgrounds can still move onwards and upwards in the education world thanks to independent schools.

Headteacher at Rendcomb College Roland Martin has said how the independent sector should be given some credit for doing a great deal to improve the lives of those with disadvantaged backgrounds.

His views came after The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission published a report on social mobility last month saying that independent schools, like Rendcomb, are adept at providing pathways to successful and prominent careers.

Mr Martin said he was the first of 21 grandchildren in his family to study A Levels and go to university and is the perfect advertisement to social mobility, which sees the movements of individuals or families within social strata in society.

"I don’t speak to many independent school heads who do not want to do more to broaden access to their establishments," said Mr Martin.

The leader of the independent school, based near Cirencester, said it was worth noting how many people's futures had been changed after receiving the opportunity to study at an independent school.

He added: "There are many independent school heads who are evangelical in their passion for broadening access, working with fantastic organisations like The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation to push the issue of social mobility and give opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds."