Cambridge University supports initiative aimed at raising educational aspirations across South West England
The University of Cambridge is supporting a new scheme aimed at raising educational aspirations in South West England.
Led by the Colyton Foundation, the Your Future Story program will support 1,000 high-attaining students from under-resourced communities in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset over the next ten years.
With fewer young people from the South West progressing to university than any other region in England, the scheme will provide funding as well as visits and online support through colleges with existing links to the area.
More than 100 delegates joined the first Your Future Story conference at the University of Exeter bringing together representatives from more than 30 secondary schools, multi-academy trusts, and senior university leaders.
This term, the first 100 pupils will join the program, with new cohorts added each year until 1,000 children across the region are supported.
“There was a wonderful energy in the room,” says Nick Wakeling, Director of the Colyton Foundation. “A shared sense of belief and commitment to ensuring that young people in the South West have equitable access to opportunity. That’s how lasting change happens. Now the real work begins.”
Tom Levinson, Head of Widening Participation, adds: “This is a genuine collaboration between schools, trusts, charities, local authorities, universities and employers. This joined-up approach is rare and extremely powerful.”
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