Access Programmes

The recent report on access to Higher Education in the United Kingdom merits careful reading and, more importantly, a considered response. I do not intend to comment on the report as a whole but would like to offer a brief reflection on the principle of university access programmes.

I have had some involvement in access programmes. I am currently my own university’s representative on one modest but successful programme: Access to Primary Education.  What makes it a successful programme is, in my opinion,  the recognition by the pupils on the programme that entry to an ‘ancient’ university is dependent on hard work, dedication and a change in attitudes, principally their own. This programme does not offer a lower tariff for entry but offers extra tuition in English and Maths from post-graduate students. Furthermore, residential weekends designed to raise the aspirations of the participants encourage them to see university as an achievable goal. All of this seems worthwhile to me.

Of course, it is easy to be sceptical and argue that this and similar initiatives favour those who happen to live in the areas covered by the programme. Nonetheless,  I remain convinced that a good access programme can go some way to remedying the less than helpful consequences of so-called progressive education -  but that is another story for another time. Give access programmes your support.