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Where we work, and why

We work in areas with historically low access to higher education and socio-economic disadvantage, empowering young people to broaden their horizons and realise their potential. 

Tyneside

Across Tyneside, there remains a persistent gap in educational attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their non-disadvantaged peers. In 2021, the North East region had the lowest higher education entry rate for 18-year-olds (32%) in England. The 2022 exam results reflect a widening gap between the North and the South of the country. 

Our school partners include:

  • Benfield School 
  • Burnside College 
  • Churchill Community College 
  • George Stephenson High School 
  • Gosforth Academy 
  • Longbenton High School 
  • North Gosforth Academy 
  • Walker Riverside Academy 

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Hastings & Bexhill

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Hastings is the most deprived local authority in South East England. Almost 40% of young people are living in poverty compared with 29% for the whole of England. Recent government research shows that just 10% of young people in East Sussex eligible for free school meals progress to higher education. 

Our school partners include:

  • Ark Alexandra Academy 
  • Bexhill Academy 
  • Bexhill Sixth Form College 
  • East Sussex College Hastings 
  • The Hastings Academy 
  • The St Leonards Academy 

Swindon

Swindon has low levels of residents with level 4 or higher qualification, 34.4% compared to a national rate of 40.3%, so it is common for families to have little or no experience of HE. Participation in some Wards in the town is less than 20%

Swindon’s relative deprivation is most severe in the education, skills and training domain, and nearly 10% of neighbourhoods in Swindon are among the most deprived in England. In 2016-17, just 34 per cent of pupils went to higher education, placing Swindon 147th out of 152 local authorities.

Our school partners include:

  • Abbey Park School 
  • Cirencester College 
  • The Commonweal School 
  • Crowdy's Hill School 
  • Lawn Manor Academy 
  • Lydiard Park Academy 
  • New College, Swindon 
  • The Ridgeway School 
  • UTC, Swindon 

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Norfolk

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Eight LSOAs in Norwich are in the top 10% most deprived nationally. That’s approximately 10% of the population - roughly 13,000 people. Norwich is in the bottom five out of 317 local authorities in England for educational attainment, skills and training, and has seen a dramatic rise in benefit claimants since the start of the pandemic. 

Our school partners include:

  • The Hewett Academy 
  • Jane Austen College 
  • Sprowston Community Academy 

Read our 2022 Impact Report

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