Partnerships Update

Partnerships: Inspiring Education through United Access

United Access is a unique collaborative project spearheaded by Caterham School as part of Caterham’s Partnerships Programme, which ensures the School takes a leading part in supporting the wider community.

The United Access partnership is between four independent schools (including Caterham), six maintained academies (all of whom sit under the umbrella of United Learning), third sector providers, such as the Accelerate and Access Foundation, and undergraduate mentors from a range of Higher Education institutions. All of those involved share a common belief that education has the power to transform the lives of all children and that, as educators, we can all learn from each other.

The United Access programme has been running since 2017 and has at its core the aim of supporting bright pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully apply to top ranking universities, whilst at the same time encouraging a culture of aspiration and ambition to develop in the schools they come from and amongst their peer group and their families.

The programme has some unique characteristics that sets it apart from other similar programmes focused on social mobility through education. Pupils are admitted onto the programme through competitive application in the Third Year and commit to a four-year programme of support. Each year 18 pupils are selected from across six academies. Crucially, this programme is designed to keep these pupils in their current schools so that the impact of the intervention also creates a ripple effect of ambition and aspiration among their peers. The academies involved in the programme are The Hurlingham Academy, Totteridge Academy, Wye School, The Regis School, Lambeth Academy and Midhurst Rother College. Pupils are invited to apply by their schools based on academic potential but also key socio-economic criteria such as Ever6 FSM and first generation background.

The key elements of the programme are that the participating young people spend a week at Easter and summer on a week-long residential at one of the participating independent schools (Caterham School or Woldingham School), where they have the opportunity for extension and enrichment opportunities delivered by teachers from the participating state and independent schools. The residentials aim to promote engagement with learning and broaden horizons alongside practical advice and support on academic progress and university applications – they serve both an academic and aspirational end.

United Access cohort 2019

Using undergraduate mentors to support the pupils over the course of their journey is another key element of this programme. Participants are given mentors for the residential elements of the programme where they meet face to face, but also are connected virtually through an e-mentoring platform to provide on-going support, guidance and inspiration throughout the year. In the Sixth Form, the pupils spend a week at a leading university.

In founding United Access, Caterham School and United Learning embedded the programme in their organisational structure jointly organising and delivering the programme of residentials, communicating to parents and schools and managing mentors – through this, a firm foundation for the programme has been created on which to build for the future.

Anyone who has visited one of the residential sessions can testify, the amount gained from the students is huge. The programme is underpinned by attitudinal and statistical evaluation, tracking progress against control groups. The depth of relationships, and the progress shown has made the whole experience thoroughly rewarding, with many teachers donating their time to contribute. 