IntoUniversity offers an innovative programme that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration.
IntoUniversity
IntoUniversity provides local learning centres where young people are inspired to achieve. At each local centre IntoUniversity offers an innovative programme that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration.
Case Study – IntoUniversity Haringey North
In November 2009 IntoUniversity opened its 5th centre in White Hart Lane, Haringey North. Over 1,000 young people in the area have already participated in the programme.
Haringey North has pockets of deprivation amongst the worst 10% in the whole of England.
Rebecca and Michael are two IntoUniversity Haringey North students.
Rebecca is in Year 9. No one from her family has ever attended university.
“I have been coming to Academic Support since the centre opened last autumn. I was told about it by my school. It is a quieter environment than at home and there are more books and resources. In the summer I also did the Careers in FOCUS programme and learnt about different jobs that I could do. I went to some amazing workshops run by professionals including a lawyer, sports manager and graphic designer. I am very sporty so I also got help researching sports careers and decided that I would like to become a physiotherapist.
“I love meeting new people at IntoUniversity and I have got much better at working with others as well as working independently. If I didn’t come to IntoUniversity I would just do nothing after I finish my homework, but here I get extra work to keep me occupied. As a reward for coming to Academic Support I have recently been paired with my mentor Naomi, which is really exciting. I really look forward to my fortnightly meetings with her.
“My mentoring experience so far has been really useful and enjoyable. It has helped me think about my future.”
Michael Joel is also in Year 9. He has attended secondary academic support since the centre opened.
“I started to come to IntoUniversity when the centre first opened in Haringey. I was lucky enough to be able to deliver a presentation to David Lammy (MP) at the grand opening! Lots of members of Haringey Council spoke about the advantages and usefulness of having a learning centre in the Borough. I have really benefitted from attending Secondary Academic Support because the support I have received has helped me to improve my grades from C’s to A and A* in Science and Maths. I am really happy about this improvement. I like coming to Academic Support because I have made some great friends who go to other Secondary Schools in the area. I also like the learning environment at IntoUniversity and all the Tutors and Volunteers who help me, because they are really easy to talk to.”
Prince William and Catherine Middleton have selected IntoUniversity as one of the charities to benefit from their Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund, which they created to help celebrate their wedding.