Access Gainsborough
Join now to ensure another year of students are not left behind, by providing advice and inspiration to current Year 12s
For many of us, time has been on pause since March 2020. Plans have repeatedly been delayed, events cancelled, and days that lie ahead left blank. For those in education however, time cannot wait. Students leaving sixth form this year have suffered from cancelled access events and contact with people from previous years that together offer motivation, advice, and insight into possible paths ahead. This will only lead to the narrowing of opportunity and the growth of inequalities. It is up to us past students to ensure current Year 12 do not suffer as well. We cannot afford a further cohort of students to be left behind.
Year 13 have not had access to the open days, school visits, and tours, which are instrumental in breaking boundaries and motivating students to set their ambitions higher than normal. I know that without going on their physical open day, I wouldn’t have applied to the University where I’m now at.
One of the weaknesses of the state school system is the lack of support networks which are built between existing students at schools or colleges, and those who have left, and are now at University, on apprenticeship schemes, or in employment. These personable links are key to providing inspiration, advice, and insight, into how to follow similar paths. Whether it be the writing of a personal statement, tips on the interview process, or insider information on what a particular place is like, these are instrumental in widening opportunities for hundreds of students.
Whilst efforts to create these networks have improved over the last few years, progress has been affected by the pandemic. Covid-19 has meant the cancelling of events where schools were able to keep in touch with former students, whilst extra pressures on teachers have left little time for the organisation of access events. As a result, the narrowing of opportunity and ambition threatens to become a long-term legacy of the pandemic.
From this spring, many Year 12s will begin considering their futures. We can together ensure that the opportunities they have, are the same, if not better, than the ones we had. Our plan to achieve this is to instigate and help co-ordinate an ‘access event week’ carried out during the summer term.
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Our Plan:
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We aim to build a community of former students prepared to give something back to the school
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Over the next few months information on these alumni will be published online, with the opportunity for Year 12s to connect with them direct.
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This will culminate with a series of events over a particular week where alumni will offer talks, Q/A sessions, and meetings, to provide information, advice and motivation. Students will be provided with tips on how to choose their next steps, what a certain city or university is like, and any advice on the application process.
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Using the opportunities that Zoom and other platforms offer, the time commitment for past alumni will be minimal, with travel not required.
Key to the success of this project will be both the little work it places on already overwhelmed teaching departments, and the motivation of students to help others have access to the same opportunities they had. Whilst holidays, and nights out can be delayed, education cannot. Current Year 12 will leave school in 2022, and we cannot afford for the pandemic to destroy their chances. Otherwise, the progress of the last decade in widening opportunities, closing attainment gaps, and making the country more equal, will be reversed. The education of students now, will determine the future of the country after the pandemic.
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To join our efforts click the button below. Please also spread the word on facebook, snapchat, and instagram all about this project!
