7th February 2013 9:00
By Blue Tutors
The Office for Fair Access (Offa) has advised universities to reach out to younger pupils in order to increase future university applications. Those universities wanting to charge higher fees after the change in legislation, are being encourage to begin with primary school students so as to widen participation.
In order to charge above the basic fee for tuition, universities must adhere to the guidance set out by Offa which covers access agreements for the period 2014-15. These must now also include plans for ‘long-term outreach activity’ which may include visits to university campuses and projects which develop interest in certain subjects.
Currently, most outreach programmes revolve around secondary school students who may already have an interest in applying to university. The idea is to attract those pupils who might not have considered higher education in another circumstance which means appealing to younger children. Offa chief, Professor Ebdon, says that it is crucial that university outreach programmes reach out to those who have not considered higher education as well as those who have.
Wendy Piatt, the director general of the Russell Group which represents 24 leading UK universities, backs Offa’s aspiration to work with youngsters. While she stated that this was the reason many of the group’s members already worked with young pupils, she also emphasised that one of the main reasons for fewer students from poorer backgrounds, was due to the lower exam results achieved and the lack of advice given in schools.