Encouraging university applications - Warwick forms partnership with RSA
A new partnership between the RSA and the University of Warwick aimed to inspire children to apply to university has been formally launched this week.
The RSA is the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce and currently comprises five schools. All of the schools are serving communities with above average deprivation. Schools within the RSA Family of Academies have made huge strides in improving pupils’ academic performance and securing good grades at GCSE, A Level and in the International Baccalaureate, but too many children still do not see a University education as something for “people like them”.
The RSA/Warwick partnership will form part of Warwick’s Widening Participation Strategy, which has already enabled many young people to become the first person in their family to go on to University. Through the partnership teachers and pupils from the RSA Academies will work with academics in different subject areas at their school and at the University. There will be a bespoke new programme for children from age 11 upwards, whilst the older students will take advantage of Warwick’s existing programmes for young people who might not otherwise consider applying to University.
Warwick Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said, “The Warwick-RSA Partnership is an important and original approach to supporting pupil progression from Year 7 through their school career and into higher education. We are pleased to be working collaboratively with the RSA family of academies, where we will be providing academic support to pupils, professional development opportunities for teachers and independent financial and career advice and guidance to pupils and parents.”
Toby Fanning, a sixth form student from Whitley Academy in Coventry who attended the Summer School this year said, “My experience at Warwick University Summer School was amazing! I loved the lectures as this gave me a real insight into the intellectual level of University work. The tour of the campus gave me a feel for what it would be like to attend this type of University. The activity I enjoyed the most was being asked to do a presentation; this was really challenging it was the first task we had to undertake, and in front of strangers too!”
Notes for Editors
For more information about the University of Warwick and RSA partnership please contact:
Melissa Holloway, Assistant Press Officer, University of Warwick, Melissa.Holloway@warwick.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)24 76 575601 Mobile/Cell: +44 (0)7824 541142
One strand of this work is the RSA’s work with a Family of four Academies all in the West Midlands:
a. Arrow Vale RSA Academy, a high school for pupils aged 14-18 in Redditch;
b. Ipsley CE RSA Academy, a middle school for pupils aged 9-13 in Redditch;
c. RSA Academy, a secondary school for pupils aged 11-18, in Tipton; and
d. Whitley Academy, a secondary school for pupils aged 11-18, in Coventry.
For further information please contact:
Melissa Holloway, Assistant Press Officer, University of Warwick, Melissa.Holloway@warwick.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)24 76 575601 Mobile/Cell: +44 (0)7824 541142
