1. FAIR ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Identifying and Nurturing Talent Bev Thomas Deputy Director HE Widening Participation and Quality Teaching

2. … our ability to identify the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to talents such as creativity are too complex for us to currently predict. In the absence of such wisdom our only recourse is to provide all children with the opportunities to pursue their passions and dreams. Mario R. Capecchi The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2007

3. Why does Widening Participation and Fair Access to HE Matter? Goes to the heart of social justice and economic necessity Over 50% of young people from all social classes say they aspire to go to university Talent and hard work should determine your success in life, not background Of those who come in the top 20% of test results at age 11, young people eligible for free school meals are around half as likely to attend university as those who are not

4. Progression to HE Driven by: –Prior educational attainment, particularly strong performance at age 16 –Staying on in learning post 16 Supported by: –Good information, advice and guidance –Range of curriculum/course options –Understanding the options/raising aspirations –Help addressing the barriers

5. What are we doing to widen participation? The Aimhigher Programme Aimhigher Associates Widening Participation Allocation The Office of Fair Access Financial Support for Students HEIs own outreach HEI/School links National Council for Educational Excellence Improved IAG for young people

6. Moving from Care to HE Care Matters White Paper - published June 2007 Programme of reform aims to achieve better outcomes for children in care Narrowing the gap between children in care and their peers in terms of the full range of outcomes The Children and Young Persons Act 2008, royal assent last November, reforms and strengthens the statutory framework around the care system

7. Moving from Care to HE £2,000 Bursary for Care Leavers Children and Young Persons Act 2008 requires local authorities to make a payment DCSF are consulting on the regulations that will define eligibility Regulations expected to come into force during first term of 2009/10 Care Leavers at university entitled to vacation accommodation under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000

8. New Opportunities White Paper Published in January by the Prime Minister Announces a wide-ranging package of investment and support from across Government for people to make the most of their potential throughout their lives giving them lifelong chances to succeed.

9. New Opportunities White Paper: widen participation and fair access to higher education Working with DCSF to guarantee that by 2012, pupils from low income backgrounds who are roughly in the top 50 per cent of performers get a comprehensive package of assistance to get to university 11 selective universities increasing outreach work to identify talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds to offer them the chance to show what they can achieve, given the chance

10. New Opportunities White Paper: widen participation and fair access to higher education Universities to publish details of what they are doing to raise aspirations and identify talent among young people from all backgrounds Making it simpler to go to university after an apprenticeship, working with UCAS to incorporate apprenticeship frameworks into the UCAS points system by 2010

11. New Opportunities White Paper: support for care leavers Develop and test models of support for care leavers into employment in local authorities across all nine government office regions Encourage national employers (public, private and voluntary sectors) to provide apprenticeships/employment opportunities inc mentors at work Develop a career support planning tool to support improved care planning/pathway planning for young people leaving care extending the right to a Personal Adviser to age 25 for those who are in, or want to return to, education or training

12. “… I can't comprehend how anyone could believe that talent plus hard work shouldn't be rewarded with opportunity.” David Lammy MP Action on Access National Conference, 11 December 2008

13. Thank you