We target high-attaining, socio-economically disadvantaged students. To identify these students, we use a range of criteria focusing on:
- The student and their family – eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM), first-generation status, and have been looked after or in care
- The school that the student attends – higher than average rates of FSM at the school, lower than average performance/progression to the top third of higher education institutions, or below average attainment
- The area that the student is growing up in – live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education - Participation in Higher Education (POLAR) - and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation (ACORN/IMD)
- The grades that the student has attained. Grade requirements differ across programmes
We believe every young person should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their family’s income, the school they go to or where they grow up. But today in this country, the opportunity to succeed is heavily shaped by socio-economic background. Our mission is to change this.