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Widening Participation - Why?

Widening Participation - Why?. In the UK parental wealth overwhelmingly remains the predominant factor in determining a child’s academic achievement. Just 24% of school children receiving free school meals achieved the benchmark 5A*–C grades at GCSEs – less than half the average rate.

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Widening Participation - Why?

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  1. Widening Participation - Why? • In the UK parental wealth overwhelmingly remains the predominant factor in determining a child’s academic achievement. • Just 24% of school children receiving free school meals achieved the benchmark 5A*–C grades at GCSEs – less than half the average rate. • At the same time just 16% of young people on free school meals progress to university, compared with 96% from independent schools.

  2. The Leaky Pipe • Disadvantage starts to effect academic attainment at a very early age. By age seven those who are in the bottom quartile of parental income but the top quartile of IQ will have been overtaken academically by those in the top quartile of parental income but the bottom quartile of IQ. • The missing 360,000 -Those who are in the top 20% in their school age 11-14 but subsequently drop down. • The missing 3,000 - Those individuals who leave school at 18 with the grades to enter a Russell Group institution but don’t enter one!

  3. Why Inspire is needed • The crucial age is 11-16. This is when children lose interest in applying for Higher Education and this is when they often make bad choices that preclude them from applying later. • The only body that provided unbiased information, advice, and guidance (IAG) to children at this age was AimHigher which has now been cut. • Government expects Universities to provide outreach, but they are not equipped. They tend to focus on a subset of 16-18 yr olds who are going to apply anyway. They often look to recruit, rather than sustain the aspiration of those who may not have thought of applying.

  4. From 2012 tuition fees will be £9000 per year– creating a big disincentive for students from low income families which are often much more adverse to taking on large debts. • Warwick runs some good schemes, but with AimHigher cut, Inspire should and will expand.

  5. Introduction to the project • Partnership between Warwick SU and Teach First. • Access to education as an important part of a Student Unions’ strategy. • Started 2 years ago by my predecessor Mo Surve who went on to found a similar project at LSE. • It takes Warwick students into schools with some of the most disadvantaged young people in the region. The schools Inspire goes into have disproportionally high numbers of children on free school meals which sadly translates into very low rates of continuation into Higher Education

  6. Project Benefits Schools • Challenging schools with few University links benefit from new partnerships. • School pupils receiving face to face advice and guidance. • Opportunity for all school pupils to benefit from role models! • Schools involved are very grateful the opportunity. Students • Develop skills and experiences useful when applying for jobs or further study. • Chance to make a difference and give something back to the community. • Flexible and minimal time commitment. • All participants will receive a certificate and will be encouraged to apply for the Warwick Advantage Award.

  7. Who should apply? • Anyone! We aim to reach as many schools and children as possible and we would love a wide range of students from across our diverse student body. • Undergraduates and postgraduates from any discipline are more than welcome to apply. As long as you have an interest in the scheme and that you are willing to try and inspire local school pupils.

  8. The Application Process • You can apply from 10/10/11 at www.warwicksu.com/inspire • The deadline for applications is 02/11/11 • All you have to do is fill in your details, write 150 words or less on why you want to take part, and indicate whether you are available for at least 2 of the school visit days and the training session. • Depending on the numbers that apply there may be a short and very informal interview with myself and another Sabbatical Officer. This will depend on whether we have more applications than places which may not be the case.

  9. The Key Dates • Inspire Intro Session – 6pm, Wednesday 2ndNovember • Deadline for applications – Friday 11th November • Project Launch – Tuesday 1th November

  10. Are you ready to inspire the next generation of University students?

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