32 | Financial Statements 2020-21 | Buckinghamshire New University
OUTRE ACH & WIDENING PARTICIPATION We are proud of everyone in our diverse and inclusive University community and work tirelessly to break down barriers to ensure that everyone can benefit from the transformative education we provide. Some 23% of our students come from postcodes with lower participation rates in higher education, and 35% are from areas of deprivation.
Celebrating Black History Month
Our outreach work
Black History Month is an important time in BNU’s calendar as we reflect on the history of Black people and the immense contribution they and other ethnic groups make to our University and the society we live in today. Throughout October 2020, staff and students celebrated Black History Month with a series of events that recognised the positive contributions and achievements of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic group communities. BNU’s celebrations began with a staff launch event for Black History Month, led by our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network, which provides a platform for members to learn about diversity in an inclusive and open environment. The Network is responsible for raising awareness and promoting opportunities for attracting a diverse group of staff and students.
Last year we continued our work with local schools and colleges as part of our commitment to widening participation (WP) amongst those groups typically underrepresented in higher education. Despite the challenges raised by COVID-19, we were delighted that more than 3000 school pupils engaged across 61 BNU events.
Different themes shaped BNU’s Black History Month including promoting understanding about Black culture; educating and inspiring others; and reflecting on personal history and experiences in the UK as Black people or allies of Black people. Bucks' Students Union held activities and events including film nights and receptions. Our strong performance in widening participation in higher education amongst underrepresented groups, and in supporting all students to complete their studies and succeed, was highlighted in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 in which BNU had the 23rd lowest black attainment gap across UK universities. BNU continues to make great strides in addressing racial inequalities and create an inclusive culture and environment where individuals are able to thrive, irrespective of their race or ethnicity. To help facilitate progress, we have pledged our commitment to the principles of the Advance Higher Education Race Equality Charter (REC), improving the representation, progression and success of staff and students from different ethnic backgrounds within higher education.
Around half (48%) of the young people we worked with during the year would be first-generation University students; about one in three (35%) were members of the BAME community; and 6% identified as disabled. Three in every five students lived in areas with low participation to university (POLAR4 Q1 and Q2) and 35% lived in high deprivation areas. In addition, we welcomed students from the Probation Service, Young Carers, military families and 55 care-experienced students. We adapted our activities in response to the changing COVID-19 restrictions by delivering virtual, in-person and blended activities throughout the year, including taster days, careers days and careers advice and guidance sessions across groups from Years 8 to 13. We are committed to playing our part to respond to the increasing emphasis by government and schools on the importance of careers advice. It’s important to us to help students in their career choices and illustrate the pathways available to them, whether or not this includes higher education. Our Futures Days campus visits are aimed at Year 9 students, offering a first-hand experience of university life to encourage them to consider higher education, irrespective of their background. Last year we held 15 Futures Days which were offered to all local schools which meet our WP criteria. For older age groups, we support both their move into further education and their application to higher education, as well as offering parents’ information evenings and HE workshops. We actively seek to recruit Student Ambassadors who attended our target WP schools to provide relatable role models to the school pupils with whom we work.
