Tag: widening participation
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Third of university students come from the wealthiest backgrounds
Latest data from HESA shows that a third of British university students now come from the wealthiest backgrounds, suggesting a backwards step for social mobility. 31% of undergraduates now come from the highest socio‑economic group, up from 25% in 2021/22. Despite widening participation initiatives, of most concern is the sharp drop in the intake of students with parents working in semi-routine jobs, falling from 13%… Read more
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Founders’ Brunel Charity awards £60,000 to combat educational inequality
The Access Project is delighted to announce its partnership with the Founders’ Brunel Charity, which has awarded The Access Project a multi-year grant to tackle educational inequality.   The Founders’ Brunel Charity will contribute £20,000 per year for three years through the Brunel Fund. This grant will support the delivery of The Access Project’s widening participation programme in two schools: Harris… Read more
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Impact report : Our year in voices
Introducing our impact report for 2024/25. ‘Our year in voices’ details our impact over the last academic year. Here we celebrate our successes and, more importantly, the successes of our students. Once again, we demonstrate that our intervention has a benchmark-beating impact on the young people we work with. And what is the difference we… Read more
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“I want to change the way we look at education” – Musab’s journey to higher education
Musab is a Year 12 student from the West Midlands. When he started his A levels, he joined The Access Project to give his university applications a boost. “I come from a low socio-economic background and the Access Project allows me to experience other opportunities that would otherwise only be available to someone from a… Read more
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From the East Midlands to Edinburgh: Riveen prepares for life at university
Picture the scene. It’s 14 August 2025 and the room is buzzing with excited yet nervous A level students, eagerly awaiting their results. Amongst the crowds at Ashfield School in Kirkby In Ashfield are 20 students enrolled on The Access Project, along with their University Access Officer, Clare. One of these students is Riveen. Applying… Read more
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Celebrating 10 years in the West Midlands with Ormiston Forge Academy and Imperial College London
At first glance, the gathering of pupils, parents, staff, and alumni at Ormiston Forge Academy on 8 July might have appeared like the usual end of term school celebrations. But this particular event was so much more than that. Staff from Imperial College London and the team from The Access Project were delighted to join… Read more
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Aiming for Oxford – Alisha’s experiences on the Oxbridge Pathway
As part of our programme, The Access Project offers students a wide variety of enrichment opportunities, including our specialised Oxbridge and Healthcare Pathways. These Pathways are designed to support students through the application process towards courses with additional requirements and admissions tests. Applications to Pathways are open during the autumn term to all Year 12… 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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The Access Project alumnus makes Top 10 Future Leaders list
Former The Access Project student and recent University of Oxford graduate Ras.I Martin is making waves as one of the UK’s top ten future leaders of 2025. Powerful Media’s Future Leaders — an annual publication celebrating 150 outstanding Black university students in the UK — features Ras.I as one of the most inspiring young leaders… Read more