Author: The Access Project
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Our response to the post-16 education and skills white paper
Last week saw the much-anticipated release of the government’s white paper on post-16 education and skills. Tackling educational disadvantage is at the heart of our mission, and we welcome the introduction of new routes to higher education and social mobility as a crucial step forward for the young people on our programmes. Anna Searle, CEO… Read more
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Maintenance grants to be reintroduced by 2029 – The Access Project response
Maintenance grants will be reintroduced in England for students from low income households, the government has announced. Students from lower income backgrounds who are “studying priority courses that support the industrial strategy and the Labour government’s wider mission to renew Britain” will be eligible for grants, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson shared at the Labour Party… Read more
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“I wouldn’t have passed without The Access Project” – Celebrating GCSE success on Results Day
GCSE Results Day has arrived. Hundreds of thousands of young people are opening envelopes filled with exam results, and seeing their hard work pay off. At The Access Project, we work with young people aged 14-16 to support them with their GCSE studies, and put them on a pathway to higher education. Today, we celebrated… Read more
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A level Results Day 2025: Students celebrate top grades and university destinations
Results Day has arrived and thousands of young people across the country are waking up to find out what they’ve achieved in their exams. On Thursday 14 August, young people are finding out how they performed in their A levels, T levels, BTEC Nationals, and other Level 3 qualifications – and deciding on their next… Read more
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UCAS Clearing 101: Get a space at uni this September
Missed out on a place at university on A level results day? Don’t panic. Thousands of places on quality courses at top unis are still up for grabs through UCAS Clearing. What is UCAS Clearing? UCAS Clearing is a university application tool that matches applicants with courses that are yet to be filled. Clearing doesn’t… Read more
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Student wellbeing and mental health: How mentoring helps young people find calm amongst the noise
I scheduled a one-to-one session with a bright Year 12 student I’d mentored for a few months. They were usually enthusiastic, always brimming with ideas for personal statements and with curious questions about university life. But today, she barely made eye contact. “How are you?” I asked gently. They shrugged. “Fine, I guess.” It’s a… Read more
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Benjamin takes on the Thames Path 100 to fundraise for The Access Project
A dedicated runner is going the distance by taking on one of the UK’s toughest endurance races in aid of The Access Project. On Saturday 3rd May, Benjamin Rose will run the Thames Path 100 to raise money for The Access Project’s programme. The 14th annual TP100 race starts in Richmond in South West London… Read more
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Response to The Sutton Trust’s School Funding and Pupil Premium 2025 report
School cuts are worsening due to financial pressures, according to a new report by The Sutton Trust. In the School Funding and Pupil Premium 2025 report, a survey of 1,208 teachers in primary and secondary schools found that more schools are cutting back on teaching staff, support staff, and enrichment, with secondary schools worst affected.… Read more
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“The Access Project has equipped me with invaluable skills” – Q&A with Isabel, Year 13 student
What does student life look like at The Access Project? We sat down with Isabel, a Year 13 student at one of our partner schools in the West Midlands, to find out more about her journey with The Access Project — and how being part of our programme is helping her achieve her goals. Why… Read more
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“My eyes are open to new possibilities” – Lucie’s education journey with The Access Project
When Lucie first joined The Access Project, she set herself a goal to improve her GCSE grades. Now a Year 12 student, she’s got a new ambition: to be the first in her family to attend university. Lucie, who lives in London, joined The Access Project while she was studying for her GCSEs. After being… Read more