Birmingham school celebrates partnership with Oxford University
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The Access Project is thrilled to launch our latest school and university partnership, connecting young people from Birmingham with education opportunities at the University of Oxford.
Hamstead Hall Academy, part of the Hamstead Hall Academy Trust, will partner with The Access Project and Magdalen College at the University of Oxford to provide students with expert mentoring and tuition.
The new programme aims to boost students’ grades, raise their confidence and increase their chances of placing at a top university – in turn increasing their chances of becoming high earners.
Magdalen College and The Access Project partnered with the Birmingham school after identifying the regional disparity in university progression rates.
Nuala Marshall, Senior Outreach and Access Officer from Magdalen College, University of Oxford said: “Magdalen College is delighted to be extending our partnership with The Access Project and Hamstead Hall Academy. We began to collaborate with The Access Project several years ago in order to provide targeted and sustained individual mentoring to talented students who might otherwise lack opportunities to learn about highly selective universities such as Oxford.
“We believe that Hamstead Hall — our second partner school with The Access Project — has many students with excellent academic potential who could benefit from extra guidance around their post-18 options. We are very excited to begin our work with them on this program!”.
Widening participation student prospects in Birmingham
The Access Project has been partnering with schools in the West Midlands for 10 years. We now work with eight schools across the county, from Wednesbury to Rednal, helping young people in the area find their pathway to university.
Our widening participation programme at Hamstead Hall provides mentoring and subject tuition for under-resourced students, alongside university trips which may not otherwise be possible for some pupils. According to research from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), students receiving this support are 50% more likely to place at top universities.
Jonathan Mortimer, CEO of Hamstead Hall Academy Trust said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. The Access Project has given our students an insight into higher education and supported them to raise their aspirations. It is having a real impact with our students and their parents.
“We are delighted to have a direct link and partnership with Magdalen College, Oxford University through the Access Project and know it will be of huge benefit for our students. Many of our students would be the first from their families to go to university and it is so important to give our students experiences that inspire them, show them what is possible and support them to achieve a route to the best universities”.
Claire Rowlinson, Senior University Partnerships Manager at The Access Project, added: “The Access Project is thrilled to expand our partnership with Magdalen College, Oxford, through a new collaboration with Hamstead Hall Academy. This exciting initiative will provide students from the West Midlands with direct access and valuable connections to one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
“We look forward to working with colleagues from Magdalen College to support students with the resources and guidance needed to realise their academic potential and achieve their university aspirations”.
The Access Project helps young people from under-resourced backgrounds achieve their academic potential and place at top universities. By donating to our programme or volunteering with us, you’re helping the country’s most under-resourced young people find their way to a brighter future.