Focus Programme

The issue

Schools in less advantaged areas can face difficulties in helping students to reach their academic potential and to understand the importance of education to their future.

Our solution

Nottingham Potential will include IntoUniversity's FOCUS Programme, which works with whole classes to introduce the concept of higher education as an achievable goal. At primary level, Focus Weeks will connect children and their families with University staff, students and campuses through curriculum-related activities. IntoUniversity's Focus Workshops will provide secondary school students with more opportunities to visit the University and meet students and staff; they will be offered additional help in choosing their post-16 subjects, revision support ahead of GCSE and A-level examinations and advice on how to progress to university. The FOCUS Programme builds on a foundation of successful University of Nottingham programmes.

Our impact

The FOCUS Programme will encourage more children from disadvantaged backgrounds to realise the importance of education and aspire to study at university. Importantly, 70% of Year 13 IntoUniversity students enrolled on similar programmes go on to higher education, compared to 43% of Year 13 nationally and 24% of those eligible for free school meals.

In 2009, 10% of the University’s intake was drawn from our Widening Participation partner schools, up from four per cent in 2001. Of the students from these schools enrolling at the University, 46% were from disadvantaged areas, whereas only 20% of our overall intake came from disadvantaged areas.

Quotes from participants

 Quoted from participants in sixth form revision sessions organised by the University: