The Access Gap
The evidence was stark: despite years of effort from universities, schools, and government, students from state schools were substantially less likely to be offered a place at a top university than those from independent schools, even if they had identical grades.
In short, at a crucial time in their lives young people were disadvantaged by an ‘access gap’: an underlying disparity in support that reduces the chances of state school applicants reaching their full potential.
To make real progress, teachers needed support to understand how to prepare students for the application system.
Access Champions
By 2016, the growing team at Causeway could draw on expertise from across schools, universities and the 3rd sector, and we channelled this into developing Access Champions. This programme gives senior teachers the knowledge and tools to embed excellent practice in their school so every student can reach their potential year after year. Analysis of UCAS Exact data shows participating schools have achieved significant increases in HE progression rates above the national average, in particular to higher tariff institutions.
What’s next?
Ten years since we launched, while the access gap remains, there’s compelling evidence that these programmes make a measurable difference to the life chances of young people.
And this is just the beginning: we’ve broadened our focus to look not only at the state/private divide, but also a whole range of other factors which contribute to the “Access Gap”.
We’ll keep working to ensure under-represented students produce the highest quality applications and are in the best possible position to make informed choices. We’ll keep working to ensure progression is not determined by privilege.