Supporting care experienced students

The Widening Participation team are committed to ensuring that our offer targets students from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is important that we continue to do this to ensure fair and equitable access to higher education.

We will continue to prioritise learners from Widening Participation backgrounds which includes care experienced students, care leavers or estranged students. Priority places will be awarded on our events for students who meet this, and other Widening Participation criteria.

DfE data shows only 6% of those aged 19 – 21, who meet the definition of ‘care leaver’, go onto higher education compared to those who enter Higher Education (HE) straight after school or college. We also know that on average that care experienced students achieve lower educational outcomes than their peers.

To support care experienced students in making informed decisions about applying to higher education and to support them in developing the study skills required at university, we can run a variety of events and workshops.

If you would like more information, please contact your Widening Participation Officer.