Education charity celebrates partnership with Oxford University and Birmingham school
Representatives from Magdalen College, Oxford, will be travelling to Handsworth Wood in July to celebrate a new partnership between Magdalen College, Hamstead Hall Academy and educational charity The Access Project.
The programme at Hamstead Hall Academy, part of the Hamstead Hall Academy Trust, has been established by The Access Project to increase the number of students from under-resourced areas going on to study at top universities.
The Access Project, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this academic year, began as an after-school club in one London school when its founder recognised the educational barriers facing his students.
However, the charity didn’t stop there. Identifying the regional disparity in university progression rates across the country, The Access Project has been partnering with schools in the West Midlands for 10 years, now working in eight schools in the area, from Wednesbury to Rednal.
The Access Project provides a programme of mentoring and subject tuition for under-resourced students, alongside university trips which may not otherwise be possible for some pupils. Students receiving this support are 50 per cent more likely to place at top universities, according to research from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Nuala Marshall, senior outreach and access officer from Magdalen College, University of Oxford said: “Magdalen College is delighted to be extending our partnership with The Access Project and Hamstead Hall Academy.
“We began to collaborate with The Access Project several years ago in order to provide targeted and sustained individual mentoring to talented students who might otherwise lack opportunities to learn about highly selective universities such as Oxford.
“We believe that Hamstead Hall — our second partner school with The Access Project — has many students with excellent academic potential who could benefit from extra guidance around their post-18 options. We are very excited to begin our work with them on this program!”
Jonathan Mortimer, CEO of Hamstead Hall Academy Trust said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. The Access Project has given our students an insight into higher education and supported them to raise their aspirations. It is having a real impact with our students and their parents.
“We are delighted to have a direct link and partnership with Magdalen College, Oxford University through the Access Project and know it will be of huge benefit for our students.
“Many of our students would be the first from their families to go to university and it is so important to give our students experiences that inspire them, show them what is possible and support them to achieve a route to the best universities.”
Claire Rowlinson (pictured), senior university partnerships manager at The Access Project added: “The Access Project is thrilled to expand our partnership with Magdalen College, Oxford, through a new collaboration with Hamstead Hall Academy.
“This exciting initiative will provide students from the West Midlands with direct access and valuable connections to one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
“We look forward to working with colleagues from Magdalen College to support students with the resources and guidance needed to realise their academic potential and achieve their university aspirations.”
