Teachers given the tools for their pupils to open the doors to Russell Group universities

17 April 2016

More than one hundred school-teachers from across the country will attend the ‘Progression to Russell Group universities’ conference at the University of Cambridge on Monday.

The conference is targeted at giving teachers from state schools and colleges the information they need to help pupils apply to the UK’s leading universities.

In addition to this event at the University of Cambridge, a further conference will be held at the University of Liverpool later this month. To widen the reach of the conference, all materials and presentations will be released as an online resource for teachers who are unable to get cover or who cannot attend for other reasons.

Director General of the Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt said:

“These conferences are so important in giving teachers the most up to date information, advice and guidance to share with pupils who have the promise and ability to attend a Russell Group university.

“Ensuring our doors are wide open to talented and able students from all backgrounds really matters to us. And real progress has been made. According to the Department for Education, in 2013, almost 13% of the students (1820) eligible for free school meals who went into higher education went to a Russell Group university, up from 7.5% (910) in 2010.

“But we are far from complacent. Russell Group universities spend hundreds of millions of pounds on outreach activities in schools and colleges and on bursaries and scholarships that support disadvantaged students through their degree course.

“Our universities work hard to spread the word to students - with the right grades in the right subjects a place at a Russell Group university is well within reach."

Teachers play an absolutely vital role in encouraging and supporting their students to progress to Russell Group universities. It is therefore important to develop and maintain a strong dialogue between schools, colleges and our universities.

Tom Levinson, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Cambridge said:

“Like all Russell Group universities, Cambridge knows that teachers are key allies in efforts to widen participation to highly selective institutions. This event gives teachers the opportunity to have their questions answered and their thoughts heard - it is very much intended as a dialogue, which we hope will continue long after this event has ended. Delegates will hear from our Director of Admissions and get a taste of what Cambridge has to offer, as well as meeting and building links with representatives from all Russell Group universities.”

Teachers will attend a wide range of workshops and sessions organised and co-delivered by staff at Russell Group universities. Topics covered include:

• Personal statements
• Academic references
• Additional admissions requirements
• Applying to medicine
• Money matters
• Careers and employability

Notes to Editors

1. The ‘Progression to Russell Group universities’ conferences will be held at the University of Cambridge on Monday 18^th April and at the University of Liverpool on Tuesday 26^th April.
2. To widen the reach of the conference, materials and presentations have been developed into an online resource to help teachers who are unable to attend. This resource Advancing Access, will be launched with new materials later this year.
3. According to HESA since 2009/10:

• The number of young, full-time undergraduate students from low socioeconomic backgrounds entering a Russell Group university has increased by 14%, from 12,655 to 14,415 in 2014/15
• The number of young, full-time undergraduate students who attended state schools going to Russell Group universities each year has increased by 8.2%, from 56,440 to 61,080 in 2014/15

4.  According to the UCAS End of Cycle 2015 report (which details university applicant and acceptance rates for entry in September 2015):

• The number of Black students accepted by Russell Group universities has increased by 62%, from 1,690 in 2010 to 2,740 in 2015.
• The number of Asian students accepted by Russell Group universities has increased by 28%, from 7,285 in 2010 to 9,350 in 2015.
• The number of Mixed ethnicity students accepted by Russell Group universities has increased by 43%, from 2,760 in 2010 to 3,940 in 2015.

5. Department for Education destination data published in January showed that the number of students eligible for free school meals going to Russell Group universities has increased every year since 2010. In 2013, almost 13% of the students (1820) eligible for free school meals who went into higher education went to a Russell Group university, up from 7.5% (910) in 2010.
6. In 2016-17, the 20 Russell Group universities in England alone will be investing £243 million in scholarships, fee waivers, bursaries and outreach activities aimed at the most disadvantaged - with additional investments being made across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

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