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. Just 16% of students at Russell Group universities are from the lower socio-economic groups, although they make up half of the population.
IntoUniversity targets 7-18 year olds from low-income families with no previous history of higher education. IntoUniversity provides after-school academic support, mentoring and immersion activities in academic subjects. These programmes give children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the support that middle-class children receive as a matter of course.
The grant recipient
Since its official launch as a registered charity in 2007, IntoUniversity has opened 6 learning centres in deprived areas across London with plans to open 6 more by 2016.
The National Foundation for Educational Research has endorsed the IntoUniversity model and the impact it has on children and young people.
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 academic support programme attracted almost 600 students in the two centres that SHINE supports, well above target
- a recent social return on investment exercise calculated that for every £1 IntoUniversity invests, £4.50 is generated of direct personal value to beneficiaries
- 70% of year 13 students who attend IntoUniversity progress directly into Higher Education, compared to 43% nationally and 24% of students nationally who are on free school meals
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: £210,000 to IntoUniversity, over six years (2008-14)
"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