IntoUniversity
According to the Office for Fair Access, the university access watchdog, bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds are seven times less likely to go to top universities than their wealthier peers – a gap that has actually widened over the past 15 years.
No wonder, then, that SHINE is a major funder of IntoUniversity. The organisation provides academic support to 7-18 year olds from low-income families with no previous history of higher education. It also arranges undergraduate mentors, personal coaching and short courses to encourage disadvantaged students to consider further education. IntoUniversity now gives more than 9,000 disadvantaged students each year the chance to follow their dreams and fulfil their potential, while also making a massive dent in the barriers to university entry that have existed for far too long.
You can read more about IntoUniversity on page 10 of SHINE’s 2010 Supporters’ Magazine. Download Now
The grant recipient
IntoUniversity is a registered charity working with 7-18 year olds from families with a low income and no history of higher education. It seeks to provide them with academic support and to develop their educational expectations.
The IntoUniversity programme
What it aims to do
- give a clear understanding of university and reasons to aspire to Higher Education
- raise the confidence, social skills, self esteem, motivation and desire of young people to improve their attainment and seek higher goals
- improve literacy, numeracy and national standardised assessment levels
How it works
Each IntoUniversity centre provides the same programme model:
- academic support - after school tutor help using target setting and formal assessment and with University students providing one to one support
- FOCUS - week and day long programmes of subject based challenges to promote a love for learning and interest in university
- mentoring and buddy schemes - with university students
Young people access the provision as a one-off, for short term courses or on a long term basis. A significant number attend for one to two hours a week each week over the year.
Results
The National Foundation for Educational Research has endorsed the IntoUniversity model and the impact it has on children and young people. IntoUniversity are currently working on how to track and further demonstrate individual academic improvement.
The funding and replication
SHINE has made a grant to contribute to the costs of replicating this project. Additional funding is being provided by other trusts and foundations including the Sutton and Impetus Trusts.
Funding: £90,000 to IntoUniversity, over three years (2008-11)
Visit the IntoUniversity website: http://www.intouniversity.org/
"The IntoUniversity programme has a positive, transformational impact on children and young people in terms of their academic success, attitudes to learning and social skills; all of which help children and young people to aspire and achieve."
NFER Evaluation Report
"IntoUniversity is the best, so fun, the best way to learn. The lessons were really exciting, far more than words can say."
IntoUniversity student
"I believe the IntoUniversity FOCUS week was one of the most beneficial experiences they have ever had. Every child in the class now talks about going to university. It has given them a goal to aspire to and work towards."
Year six teacher
"I am writing to tell you how much better I have been going ever since I have started IntoUniversity. I have found a better place to study in a quiet area. This has helped me improve in the homework that I have been given. Thank you again for all you have done for me and everybody else."
Year 8 pupil
Quotes
"The IntoUniversity programme has a positive, transformational impact on children and young people in terms of their academic success, attitudes to learning and social skills; all of which help children and young people to aspire and achieve."
NFER Evaluation Report
"IntoUniversity is the best, so fun, the best way to learn. The lessons were really exciting, far more than words can say."
IntoUniversity student
"I believe the IntoUniversity FOCUS week was one of the most beneficial experiences they have ever had. Every child in the class now talks about going to university. It has given them a goal to aspire to and work towards."
Year six teacher
"I am writing to tell you how much better I have been going ever since I have started IntoUniversity. I have found a better place to study in a quiet area. This has helped me improve in the homework that I have been given. Thank you again for all you have done for me and everybody else."
Year 8 pupil