Student blog series: Education is for all

by Courtney, Year 12, Cumbria

Courtney is a sixth form student from Cumbria studying history, literature, and politics. She believes that education should provide the opportunity to change the lives of every student and is aiming to get into a top university. 

Education shouldn’t be a privilege; it’s a right for everyone.

When The Access Project asked me to write something that I feel passionately about I chose education. Specifically, how students from “disadvantaged” backgrounds navigate their education whilst facing many different challenges. Students from said backgrounds deserve the same opportunities as anyone else.

According to official government statistics, 27% of pupils were classed as “disadvantaged” in 2025. I am part of that 27%, but I am more than a statistic, and so is every other student. Your background may shape your journey, but it does not determine where you can go. Education is one of the greatest opportunities we have as students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and no matter where you come from, you deserve the chance to make the most of it. 

My journey

Let me tell you a bit about my journey. I come from a disadvantaged background and have never let this define the limits of my education. Instead, I have used my circumstances to motivate me to work harder and to aim higher. I wanted to prove to myself that it was possible to achieve great things despite the stereotypes that often surround students from backgrounds such as mine.

Currently, I’m working to get into Oxford University and along this journey I’ve already made so many achievements, such as attending the UNIQ Oxford summer school, meeting with my local MP and the Provost of the Queen’s College, University of Oxford, and taking so many opportunities I once thought wouldn’t be possible. But it is possible. It took determination, hard work, and support from those around me such as my teachers and The Access Project who reminded me that my dreams were possible. If I can do it, you can too! 

Support and access to resources

What exactly is a “struggling” background? It’s one that creates challenges for people in many different ways, often putting them at a disadvantage compared to others. Some people from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to find that their education is pointless. This is often due to the internal fear that it’s difficult to escape a cycle – whether it is an economic one or social one – and as a result they may tend to not care as much as other students.

On the same note, some students may not receive enough support at home in relation to their education which can demotivate them. However, to every struggling student out there – support does exist. It might come from teachers, friends, family members, or others such as The Access Project. You are never alone on your journey. 

Additionally, it isn’t just about the students’ attitude and approach, but instead the resources that are available to them; such as books, quiet spaces, and potentially even a lack of basic needs. This has become an increasing struggle, for instance, due to the rise of the internet being used in education. 

According to the Good Things Foundation, 570,000 students lack access to a home broadband connection and are therefore disadvantaged in comparison to students from more fortunate backgrounds. It raises an important question: is public education truly accessible, or has it become an affordable luxury? Fees for uniforms, transport, stationery, and textbooks can create obstacles for many and create inequality within education. Despite this, it is still amazing that some of these students can overcome these challenges.

Avoiding stereotypes

So, what can we do? The most important thing is not to stereotype students from different backgrounds. They aren’t just “quiet”, they aren’t just “misbehaving”, and they aren’t just “different” to what’s seen as normal. They are their own individuals that have their own situations and yet they still find the motivation to overcome the challenges they face. As a result, some of the best students may come from disadvantaged backgrounds. You don’t know what’s going on in someone’s life just by looking at them. Therefore, we should all be mindful of those around us so that we can all make the most of our education comfortably without being worried about the judgement of others. We’ll all find some things easier and others harder — that’s part of learning. What matters most is that we support one another, no matter our background.

Support from The Access Project 

Speaking about support, many students from my school partake in The Access Project and each of them have been positively impacted by the range of support offered. Two students shared their experiences: 

‘My tutor has been very helpful towards my learning. Beforehand, I had struggled in Biology, now I am a top achiever in the class.’ 

‘My tutor has helped me improve my grade from a 3 to a grade 7.’ 

These comments reflect just how vital it is to recognise the support available. You should never feel as though you have no one to turn to. Coming from a different background doesn’t mean you deserve fewer opportunities – it means your journey might look different, but your potential is just as strong. Not just that, but there are countless students from backgrounds that are classed as “disadvantaged” and so it’s important that we keep fighting for support to become more widely available. All students should have their individual learning needs met and their voices heard. 

Make the most of every opportunity

Where you start doesn’t define where you can go. No matter who you are and where you’re from, we all deserve an equal education that we can make the most of. While it’s true that many schools still struggle to fully support students from challenging backgrounds, that doesn’t mean your potential is limited. It means your determination matters even more. Make the most of every opportunity, work hard, and refuse to be confined by stereotypes. And if you’re someone from a more fortunate background, use that privilege to uplift others – not to judge them. Support, empathy, and understanding can make education fairer for everyone. Being mindful doesn’t take effort but it can make a huge difference to the lives of others. Education should open doors, for all of us.