IN THIS ISSUE 10 years of IntoUniversity Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, looks back to the modest beginnings of the charity. Levelling the Playing Field Mary Ann Sieghart reflects upon the significance of the role of parents and the impact of socio-economic background on a child’s academic success. Insight Updates, reviews and highlights from IntoUniversity’s network of centres. Spotlight Exclusive interview with entrepreneurs, philanthropists and activists Dr Ros Smith and Steve Edwards. aspireFEBRUARY 2013 | ISSUE 1

Class of 2012 Emmanuel Abiola IU North Kensington University of Nottingham Civil Engineering

10 years of IntoUniversity As we begin celebrating our 10th anniversary Looking back at the evaluation forms they filled in I In 2008 the National Council for Educational year, I have been thinking back to when we can see they were both appalled by and entranced Excellence recommended that ‘Every primary were just starting out at a local community with the Jeremy Bentham cabinet at UCL, loved school should devote time to work on raising centre in North Kensington. hiding under the table during our simulation student aspirations to take up a place in Higher of an air raid and were fascinated to see where Education. Schools … should try to ensure that We had raw enthusiasm, an intuition about what Winston Churchill slept. ‘I like learning but I enjoy every pupil visits a Higher Education campus.’ we might do to inspire primary-aged children things when they are fun’ wrote Ruby, ‘This week was And in 2012 our initial conviction was publicly to aspire to university, lots of creative ideas, and beyond fun! I have absolutely loved this week, 10/10.’ recognised when we were awarded a London a conviction that early intervention in widening It was comments like these that encouraged us to Education Partnership Award for ‘Starting the participation is crucial: this all came together keep trusting our belief that working with primary Journey’ to university for primary school children. when we ran our first Primary FOCUS weeks with school students was essential. Dr Rachel Carr two classes of ten-year-olds from Oxford Gardens Those Oxford Gardens children have grown up. Chief Executive and Co-Founder Primary School in 2004. It’s hard to believe now, Since those early days, our Primary FOCUS They are now young women and men who have of IntoUniversity. but back then there was widespread incredulity programme has developed considerably. It is now reached university age. Ruby is on a gap year and – sometimes derision – at the notion that anyone a series of interventions for 9 - 11 year-olds with is applying to read English Literature at university would even consider introducing primary school workshops on what a university is and support in 2013. Sarah achieved three As at A-level and children to Higher Education. We were told that with the transition to secondary school. Yet the is going on to read Medicine. Amy is in her first the children were too young and that we should FOCUS weeks we still run look remarkably similar term reading History at Queen Mary’s College. wait until they were doing their GCSEs. As we to those enjoyed by the Oxford Gardens pupils Suaad has just started a Politics and International talked to schools about our programme, it felt as if eight years ago – we now have mortar boards for Relations degree at the University of Westminster. we were flying in the face of all the received wisdom. our graduations but the university day remains And Lea, who told us that one of the three things the highlight of the week. We now run weeks on he enjoyed most was visiting King’s College topics from Journalism to Maths, the Olympics because it ‘gave me a better understanding of it felt as if we were flying in the to Shakespeare – but this year we have already university’ has just become a King’s undergraduate. face of all the received wisdom run another two World War Two weeks, and HMS In all 56% of that first cohort have progressed Belfast was again a highlight. Since 2004 we have to university – a 27% improvement on other But, as history shows us, ‘the received wisdom’ can run 200 FOCUS weeks and taken 5000 primary disadvantaged students from the same local sometimes be mistaken. I remember those two school children to visit a university. In this 10th authority. A further 20% of that cohort are in the FOCUS weeks well. The theme was World War Two anniversary year alone we will run 87 FOCUS weeks. process of applying to university. Congratulations and we made egg-less wartime cakes (‘disgusting’ to the class of 2004/5. I believe that IntoUniversity has shown real was the children’s verdict), heard moving accounts leadership in its field. Since 2002 the tide has We are proud of you all. from North Kensington evacuees, visited the turned on the importance of introducing primary Cabinet War Rooms and HMS Belfast and took school children to the idea of university. the children to two top universities where they presented their work and ‘graduated’. aspire | IntoUniversity | February 2013 Levelling the Playing Field Mary Ann Sieghart reflects upon the significance of the role of parents, and the impact of socio-economic background on a child’s academic success.

I’ve always considered my job as a If children don’t have parents who expect parent to have three parts: to love my them to be high achievers, they are going to All the way through, the children unconditionally, to lay down find it very hard to compete against those happy memories for them, and to help who do, unless they are preternaturally self- children are expected to them get into good universities. One starting. Ideally, all bright but disadvantaged be high achievers and is at Cambridge and the other has children would have teachers doing the job just started at UCL. ‘Phew!’ I thought that middle-class parents do: turbocharging to aim for that ultimate to myself the other day. ‘Job done.’ pupils’ aspirations, demanding excellent driver of social mobility: results, pushing them through the system. That’s such a middle-class attitude, isn’t In practice, many children are not so lucky. a university education. it? We’ll do anything to help our children Mary Ann Sieghart succeed academically, from reading to them There has been a lot of hand-wringing That’s where IntoUniversity comes in. In as babies, choosing the best nursery, paying about the relative scarcity of poor students Mary Ann spent 19 years as an effect, the charity mimics what ambitious private school fees or buying a house in a at top universities. The universities – Assistant Editor and columnist middle-class parents like me do for their good catchment area, employing tutors, particularly Oxford and Cambridge – are on The Times before leaving children. From the age of seven, it helps taking them to theatres and museums, then blamed for discriminating against to pursue other interests. She pupils with study support after school. It asking our professional friends to give pupils from low-income homes. But, as a presents Newshour on the BBC takes them to theatres and museums. It them work experience. High educational recent paper published in Fiscal Studies World Service and Profile on introduces them to careers they might achievement, for girls as well as boys, is showed, the problem arises not at the Radio 4, is an equity partner in never have thought of through workshops even more important now in middle-class university entrance level, but way before. the new website, The Browser, given by professionals such as journalists, families than it was a generation ago. writes a regular newspaper architects or lawyers. It gives them a column, and sits on the board of So think what a disadvantaged child is up the problem arises not week devoted to discovering the fun of Henderson Smaller Companies against. He or she may have parents who university learning. It pairs them up with Investment Trust and on the don’t particularly value education. And at the university entrance mentors who are already at university, Council of Tate Modern. that is the most important determinant of level, but way before and advises on subject choices and UCAS success. After all, the best performing pupils applications. All the way through, the in Britain at GCSEs are Chinese girls, but the children are expected to be high achievers second-best are Chinese girls on Free School Pupils in the top fifth of the income and to aim for that ultimate driver of Meals. What that shows is that attitude, distribution are nearly three times as social mobility: a university education. likely to go to university as those in the expectations and hard work are more And it works. More than 77% of important than a bulging bank balance. bottom fifth. Yet other things being equal, a disadvantaged sixth-former has pretty IntoUniversity leavers get into university, much the same chance of getting into compared with just 18% of all students on attitude, expectations university, and into the top Russell Group Free School Meals (and that percentage and hard work are more universities, as a rich one. The trouble is that includes further as well as Higher other things aren’t equal. The disadvantaged Education). It’s a long haul: the pupils important than a bulging student is less likely in the first place to who start at seven will have spent about bank balance get good A-level grades and to apply to 12 years on the programme. But that’s universities, let alone the top ones. So the exactly what’s needed to put these problem needs to be tackled much earlier. students on a level playing field with the offspring of ambitious parents like me.

IntoUniversity ‘s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner

On 15th November, 250 guests joined us to celebrate this special milestone for our charity at IntoUniversity’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, supported by UBS and hosted at the Museum of London. The evening was a fabulous opportunity to look back over the past ten years, to celebrate our young people’s achievements and to look ahead to our ambitious plans for the future.

IntoUniversity’s guests in the Museum of London’s Sackler Hall Student speaker Adekunle Awodele, Head Boy of Burlington Danes Academy 2012 drew to an exciting close, with highlights including the Insight charity’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Museum of London Updates, reviews and highlights from IntoUniversity’s network of centres. and the opening of IU Brixton.

IntoUniversity Norway? Mentoring Q&A

My first impression upon entering IntoUniversity’s future Nottingham East centre on an autumnal October afternoon was that it resembled an old spoiled ship, veering off route on the verge of abandonment, but undoubtedly with great potential to be something better, something vibrant. Our partnership with the University of Nottingham’s ‘Nottingham Nasser Latif Potential’ project and the amazing support of the University’s Widening Participation Nasser Latif joined us as a and Outreach staff, as well as the financial Graduate Trainee Education backing received from the David Ross Worker in August 2012. Prior to Foundation, has played a huge part in Kate Pickles joining IntoUniversity, he studied shaping the team’s vision of what could be. Visual Merchandising Coordinator – Emerging Markets, Burberry for an undergraduate degree in activities, with over 30 registering for Since Day 1, much has changed (we have Sports Development at Leeds Academic Support. The cookie decorating Kate was paired up with her mentee, Shaban, a student at the chairs to sit on now), but the sense of Metropolitan University. He then activity went down a storm, particularly as Central Foundation Girls School in Tower Hamlets and regular something special remains. Walls have been completed a PGCE in Secondary the cookies had been donated by ‘Millie’s’. attendee of Academic Support sessions at IntoUniversity Physical Education, and after painted, tables have been built and paper Bow, at the start of the 2011 academic year when Shaban graduating spent time teaching letters have been laminated. However, that The finale to our ‘Open Day’ was a balloon was embarking upon her A-level year. In this short interview, English in China. is only half the story. The majority of our race with each child releasing a balloon. A Kate gives us an insight into her experience of being an IU time has been spent in the community and few days later, I received the following email: corporate mentor. schools; talking, dancing and breathing ‘My daughter and I were out walking IntoUniversity. However, the nagging today when we spotted a red balloon high  How did you first hear ofInto University? doubts remained; could the redundant ship Q up in a tree (about 5 metres). I saw there be revived, would the local community  was a note attached to the string therefore  I got an email through work asking for graduates and children want to jump on board? A we had to get it down. After some struggle who might be interested in helping first generation These worries were dispelled at 11.50am on we managed to retrieve the balloon. applicants to university. 17th November 2012, ten minutes before This is close to Nesbyen, Hallingdal in Norway’  Why did you become a mentor? the scheduled start of our ‘Open Day’ as a Q queue started to form outside the centre. If IntoUniversity Nottingham East can A I’d wanted to do something personally enriching for Fast forward two hours and over 100 local support a lonely red balloon to fly a while, but hadn’t come across anything that struck children and parents had come through from Nottingham to Norway, imagine a chord with me. This opportunity really appealed our doors and participated in a range of what we can support an aspiring because university was one of the most beneficial and child to become or achieve. character shaping experiences of my life, and if there was something I could offer in the way of support or advice to other people then I wanted to be a part of that. IntoUniversity is expanding rapidly and has solid Q How did you and Shaban use your one-to-one mentoring sessions? evidence of the programme’s effectiveness. A  The sessions are very much driven by Shaban and what she feels she needs help or guidance with. They are also pretty organic and natural, usually an informal WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES FOR chat about my experiences or how I dealt with certain INTOUNIVERSITY SCHOOL LEAVERS? situations at university. 7. 8 Have a university place Q What was the best part of being a mentor, 10, 500 and conversely, what did you find to be the 8.0 Are applying to HE or on an STUDENTS SUPPORTED THIS YEAR biggest challenge? access/foundation course 7.1   Are in work, apprenticeship A The best part of being a mentor has been seeing the 77.1 or further study achievements that Shaban has made. I got to go to an Are unemployed, undecided awards performance at her school where I saw all of her or occupation unknown A-level work and met all of her tutors who had obviously NEW CENTRES LAUNCHED IN 2012/13 made an impact on her work. The biggest challenge is 3 probably time constraints in terms of work and Shaban being % SERVING AN ADDITIONAL based at a centre that is quite far away from where I work. HOW DO INTOUNIVERSITY STUDENTS COMPARE Q Shaban began reading Media and Communication WITH OTHER STUDENTS NATIONALLY? Studies at the University of Greenwich in September IntoUniversity this year – a fantastic achievement. How often are you School leavers nationally progressing to HE School leavers STUDENTS in touch? Will you stay in touch now that Shaban has 2,700 progressed to university? 18 % 34% 52% A We are in touch a lot less than we would like to be because 77.1% of all maintained of all are Shaban doesn’t have access to the internet at home. I progress to HE school students maintained unemployed, on Free School school students undecided, or would say that at the moment it’s probably about once a Meals unknown month or so. But yes, we will definitely stay in touch and hopefully it will be much easier to talk more regularly with Based on a sample of 759 school leavers Shaban soon. (a 66% sample of an estimated cohort of school leavers of 1150) aspire | IntoUniversity | February 2013

Spotlight Dr Ros Smith and Steve Edwards have been supporters of IntoUniversity since 2008. Here they talk about their remarkable career journeys to date and discuss why education is an issue that they both hold so close to their hearts.

Please can you tell us about your educational backgrounds and Now Murray Edwards, the college has its own programme called early careers? We were both educated in state schools. Steve went the Gateway Programme. Starting with Gateway Scholarships, the on to Oxford University to do Physics, and Ros went to Cambridge programme supports students before they arrive at Cambridge. University to study Biological Natural Sciences. Once at Murray Edwards, it then provides coaching to enable students to make the most of their university education and helps After university Steve joined Logica and worked as a programmer them make a good start to their careers after they graduate. developing their in-house relational database, quite an innovative project at the time. Ros went on to do a PhD in Neuroscience and What are your views on the on-going ‘access to Oxbridge’ then joined Cambridge Interactive Systems as a programmer. debate? This is a complicated question. Oxford and Cambridge, Working with inspirational people early on is very important because together with Imperial College and University College London, all you can learn so much from how they approach problems and how rank within the top ten universities world-wide. They are therefore they behave towards their colleagues and customers. very competitive and international in their outlook. We know that both universities put a lot of effort into attracting state school What did having the opportunity to go to university mean for students, and provide generous bursaries to help poorer students you both? Having the opportunity to learn from people who were with fees, making Oxbridge the cheapest place for financially leading their fields was tremendously exciting, and very daunting. deprived students to study. However, there are clearly still problems A university education is not just about the subject, but about with the image of the two universities putting off a lot of able developing your mind and gaining skills that you use throughout students. In reality though, Oxbridge students come from a wide your life. range of backgrounds, and students rarely have a problem fitting in.

The skills that we developed, along with a whole pile of good luck You launched your website, BestCourse4Me, in February 2010. and a great team of people, helped us to develop our business which Please can you tell us about this recent venture and what was eventually sold in 2001. The proceeds from which have allowed inspired its creation? BestCourse4Me provides a rich information us to support many charitable causes. It sounds corny, but we know source to help students in making A-level and degree choices. It was that our lives have been enriched by our university education, and the idea of Professor Anna Vignoles who is a leading researcher in the we have achieved much more than we would have without it. outcome of a university education. She found that access to future careers depends very strongly on the subject studied at university Together you generously support a number of charitable and there was no convenient source of this information. causes. Please can you tell us about your philanthropic interests? We are passionate that other people should have the How and why did you initially become involved with educational opportunities that were given to us. We therefore IntoUniversity? Ros was introduced to IntoUniversity by Tessa support a number of educational charities and projects. We are Stone, Director of the Brightside Trust and a Trustee of IntoUniversity. especially excited about making opportunities for children whose We were looking for opportunities to work in widening participation background and environment means that they do not have access and social mobility. She met Rachel Carr and heard about the work of to the same levels of resources and support as those available to IntoUniversity. We both felt that we had found an organisation that children from privileged backgrounds. was working exactly where we wanted to help, developing aspiration and achievement in children from under-privileged backgrounds. The main organisations or projects that we have supported are When we worked with IntoUniversity more closely we discovered Murray Edwards College Cambridge, St Edmund Hall Oxford, that the organisation and all of the people we met were incredibly IntoUniversity, BestCourse4Me (which we founded and fund), and positive and affirmative in everything that they do, not just with the a small school in the North of England. We also support individual children. The standards of the organisation are incredibly high. The students from time to time. Trustee Board is outstanding and the organisation makes excellent use of the skills of its Trustees. Please can you tell us a bit more about your relationship with Murray Edwards College? Ros studied at Murray Edwards, then Impact analysis shows very high levels of success of the students New Hall. Murray Edwards has always been committed to giving compared with those from the same socio-economic cohort who opportunities to students with potential but who do not necessarily have not had access to IntoUniversity. Such high quality work and fit into the standard mould. The College puts a great deal of effort very high levels of impact encouraged us to support IntoUniversity into supporting students as they adjust to the tough intellectual because it is so successful in achieving its objectives, which are also environment. It was easier as a student from a comprehensive school our objectives. to adapt to life at New Hall than it was at some of the older, more traditional colleges. Do you have any plans for future philanthropic initiatives? We have a few ideas, but we are fully committed for the next few years so we’re not planning on taking on any more projects just yet!

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