Gordon Brown stressed the need to raise schoolchildren's achievements, referring to "aspiration" nine times in a 2007 speech. See varous initiatives in this whole-school video on Every Child Matters for primary and secondary.
The prime minister's message was that giving children good opportunities will only lead to greater achievements if they have high aspirations for themselves.
Through a series of case studies, this video looks at the challenges of closing the attainment gap between the rich and poor. See the various initiatives that have been undertaken as this video highlights the importance of social and emotional development within the curriculum.
Looking to America for inspiration, a KIPP school in New York shows how it's having staggering success in raising pupils' aspirations. Find out whether this small school model could work in the UK.
