31st May, 2013

Cambridge University to sponsor Villiers Park Scholars Programme in Hastings

The University of Cambridge and national education charity Villiers Park Educational Trust, which is based in Cambridgeshire, are developing stronger links to encourage able students from backgrounds under-represented in higher education to aspire to university.

The four-year scheme is free for Scholars and runs from Year 10 to Year 13, including on-going mentoring, residential courses at Villiers Park, university masterclasses, workshops and online study resources. In addition, Villiers Park works with their teachers to help develop everyday classroom practice that challenges and inspires.

Villiers Park has been running the programme since 2009 in Hastings and in Swindon, two areas where very small numbers of young people remain in education to university level. Only 21% of Hastings and 24% of Swindon students progressed to higher education compared to a national average of 35%, according to the Higher Education Funding Council Polar 3 Report, 2010-2011. The Scholars Programme sets out to eliminate this differential through helping Scholars to fulfil their academic potential and aim high in their university choices.

Hayley, who is currently in her last year of the programme in Hastings said it has had "an almost life-changing impact on all parts of my life. I became so much more confident, I felt truly motivated for the first time in my life to go out there, prove people wrong and better myself".

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the University of Cambridge, said: "The University is committed to encouraging young people to look beyond their immediate circumstances and aim as high as their academic ability can take them. The Hastings Scholars Programme engages the most able students in an area of low aspiration in a sustained programme which could make a real difference to their future choices and success.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to explore the impact of such work on applications to selective universities with Villiers Park".

Richard Gould, Chief Executive of Villiers Park Educational Trust, said: "We are delighted to be working with the University of Cambridge to support young people with high academic potential from disadvantaged backgrounds. The University's support is enabling us to continue working with all secondary schools and colleges in the Hastings area where the Scholars Programme has already had an impact on raising aspirations and enabling the students to reach their full academic potential. In August 2012, 77% of the students achieved A-level grades A* - B and 76% gained a place at university".

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