AN OUTSTANDING ACADEMY Lampton School

University Partnerships Areas we have developed and believe are essential in terms of widening participation and fair access: Strong links with universities Sustained programmes/partnerships – not ‘one offs’ Yrs 7 – 13 Brunel – Urban Scholars Kings College themed days, mentoring, master classes, summer schools – tailored and personalised work – Yr6/7/8 themed day ‘clinical and ethical issues’ Imperial -E-mentoring for medical students and reference writing Sussex University- subject themed days Yr 9 and 10 SOAS – 2 year mentoring scheme, including subject taster sessions Queen Mary’s - support with reference writing/personal statements UCL –support with the Extended Project LSE Choice programme – taster courses

In addition…………. School liaison visits to school from Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL – whole year and targeted groups at KS4 and 5 Challenge days at Cambridge The Brilliant Club PHD students working with able students from disadvantaged backgrounds (Good use of Pupil Premium) Seminars – writing extended essays and graduation at a top university Staff training and attendance at courses improves guidance and advice

To replace Aim Higher we have developed our own internal programme  Whole school aspiration programme- targets year 7-11 students  Structured careers programme. HE focus Yr7 to 13. Yr 9 options – making the link between KS4 and 5 more coherent  Students are mentored by a Year 12 student and focus on their academic progress. Student led approach seems to work  Visits to develop ‘cultural capital’ – theatre, art galleries, museums etc…  Trips to universities and local companies like BP, Sky and GlaxoSmithKline  Independent State School Partnership – MFL – Oxford and Clifford Chance  Developing key skills in terms of communication and confidence, debating, critical thinking.  SEO Scholars Programme – Work experience – Freshfields, Google etc.. Yr11/12  Persistence of staff in chasing detailed feedback from Russell Group universities about unsuccessful applicants – improves the next round of the application process

Outcomes Examination results: Top 5% VA for the past three years 20-30% progress to the ‘more competitive’ universities %A*/A/B crucial – the students must get the grades – this year dip from 52% to 45% - impact Increase in uptake of STEM subjects Only one applicant a year gets in to Oxbridge (Hounslow 2011 only 6 students from 14 secondary schools) Some of our students who have got in to Cambridge had not been identified as G+T Halima – Somalian refugee joined in Yr 8 via Germany – Natural Sciences at Cambridge

What could be done? More sustained projects with universities to strengthen subject areas at A-level – increasingly important Increased opportunities for students to develop ‘cultural capital’ Greater consistency in quality of guest speakers from universities – not PR, tick boxing and generic power-points Access to high profile companies and businesses – work experience ‘Inside information’ in relation to university admissions – having honest conversations Mores support for Oxford tests – could use Teaching School Alliances

Transition Greater focus on the transition between KS4 to KS5 and from 6 th form to University Key skills – independent learning, critical and creative thinking, study skills etc… More academic master classes and lectures for students in Year 9-11; to raise aspirations and build in challenge

Moving forward  Schools would like to see more strong partnerships between schools and universities  Funding for these partnerships to be sustained and implemented – both partners  More honest and open discussions between universities and schools  Practical information- contact details- a network built to develop better communication