ASCL welcomes increase in disadvantaged students going to university

Responding to UCAS analysis showing more students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK are set to start degrees this autumn, Kevin Gilmartin, post-16 specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The UCAS data suggests that the number of young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who are due to start university this year has risen. This is greatly welcomed and is a tribute to both the students themselves and to the school and college staff who managed to prepare them so well, despite all the numerous challenges this year.

“We are still concerned about the gap between the most disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers, in terms of attending the higher tariff universities. A particular problem is the prolonged underfunding of post-16 education, and this must be addressed in the forthcoming government spending review.”