Nearly 80% of ‘A’ level students from underprivileged backgrounds attending the BRC summer school go on to university, a third of which are prestigious ‘Russell Group’ universities, according to a report out this month.
Gifted ‘A’ level students who attended BRC-supported laboratory placements said the scheme helped them choose universities and degrees, gave them greater insight into what science can offer and increased their awareness of career options.
The two-week scheme offered students from underprivileged backgrounds the chance to work alongside scientists with the aim to inspire and motivate them and to support them in their application to competitive research universities.
The BRC funded a total of20 of the 59 students who attended the summer school in 2012 78% surveyed were now attending university, studying 16 different degree courses, and 6% had a job. Of those attending university, 3 were going to UCL and 3 to Kings College London.
Researchers who supervised the students said it was an enriching experience for everyone and many of them are planning to take part again. Some 28% of students had kept in touch with their supervisors after the summer school.
Highlights of taking part included, “participating in practical experiments and learning new techniques and skills,” “meeting and talking to lots of new people – establishing contacts, getting advice, hearing about experiences” and “being able to see first-hand what undergraduates and postgraduates do”.
UCL PhD student Rebecca McKelvey, a former teacher, set up the scheme when she was shocked to discover that in the UK in only 18% of pupils on free school meals go into higher education compared to 36% on non-free school meals and 98% of students from independent schools.
Rebecca said: “For most of the students on the scheme these two weeks are very important. It gives the student not only an insight into science but also experience in speaking to people who they do not necessarily meet in other areas of their life.”
To date the scheme, which has been running for 4 years, has enabled over 150 students from low income backgrounds to experience research science first hand at top London institutions.
