57
OMNIA
Issue 07 Spring/Summer 2020
Partnerships:
Inspiring Education through United Access
United Access is a unique collaborative project spearheaded by Caterham School as part of Caterham’s Partnerships Programme, which ensures the School takes a leading part in supporting the wider community.
T
he United Access partnership is between four independent schools (including Caterham), six maintained academies (all of whom sit under the umbrella of United Learning), third sector providers, such as the Accelerate and Access Foundation, and undergraduate mentors from a range of Higher Education institutions. All of those involved share a common belief that education has the power to transform the lives of all children and that, as educators, we can all learn from each other. The United Access programme has been running since 2017 and has at its core the aim of supporting bright pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully apply to top ranking universities, whilst at the same time encouraging a culture of aspiration and ambition to develop in the schools they come from and amongst their peer group and their families. The programme has some unique characteristics that sets it apart from other similar programmes focused on social mobility through education. Pupils are admitted onto the programme through competitive application in the Third Year and commit to a four-year
programme of support. Each year 18 pupils are selected from across six academies. Crucially, this programme is designed to keep these pupils in their current schools so that the impact of the intervention also creates a ripple effect of ambition and aspiration among their peers. The academies involved in the programme are The Hurlingham Academy, Totteridge Academy, Wye School, The Regis School, Lambeth Academy and Midhurst Rother College. Pupils are invited to apply by their schools based on academic potential but also key socio-economic criteria such as Ever6 FSM and first generation background. The key elements of the programme are that the participating young people spend a week at Easter and summer on a week-long residential at one of the participating independent schools (Caterham School or Woldingham School), where they have the opportunity for extension and enrichment opportunities delivered by teachers from the participating state and independent schools. The residentials aim to promote engagement with learning and broaden horizons alongside practical advice and support on academic progress and university applications – they serve both an academic and aspirational end.
