Our work with schools
We work with eligible schools who share our belief that every young person, regardless of background, can make the most of their education. We do this through our unique programme of in-school mentoring and personalised tuition.
Students with The Access Project are almost twice as likely as similarly disadvantaged students to attend top universities (UCAS).
We work with schools to remove the barriers disadvantaged students face in reaching their full potential, and in doing so help to create a fairer society. Our proven success in doing this in 40 schools across the country is in large part due to the strong partnership model we build with schools.
In 2022, 53% of our students went on to top universities.
Our work with schools
We work with eligible schools who share our belief that every young person, regardless of background, can make the most of their education. We do this through our unique programme of in-school mentoring and personalised tuition.
Students with The Access Project are more than twice as likely as similarly disadvantaged students to attend top universities (UCAS).
We work with schools to remove the barriers disadvantaged students face in reaching their full potential, and in doing so help to create a fairer society. Our proven success in doing this in 35 schools across the country is in large part due to the strong partnership model we build with schools.
In 2021, 67% of our students went on to top universities.
As Principal of a large 11-19 Secondary Academy, The Access Project transformed our student destinations – quite simply more children went to better universities because of our engagement with The Access Project.
We also got far more than we paid for – if we’d have sourced tutoring, mentoring, careers guidance, UCAS application support, university experiences etc – it would easily have cost four or five times The Access Project partnership charge. If I were leading a school, engaging with The Access Project would be one of my first actions.
Andrew Burns, Director of Education, Brooke Weston Trust
Who do we work with?
We partner with non-selective state schools with high numbers of students on Free School Meals, receiving Pupil Premium funding or with low levels of progression to top universities.
The Access Project schools across London, West Midlands, East Midlands, West Yorkshire and the North West
“The work that we do with The Access Project is seamless, the team work with our students in delivering value and extra support exactly where it is needed. It is a model of best practice.”
Andrew Burns, Principal, Ormiston Forge Academy
Partnering with us brings many benefits to your school. On top of raising student attainment in national exams and increasing student progression to top universities, our services with schools include:
- A dedicated member of staff from The Access Project based in your school who works with the students on the programme. They will provide expert advice from Year 10 onwards to build student knowledge and understanding of universities and courses, and provide one-to-one support and advice on university applications and interviews
- Management of all programme logistics (recruiting students, tutorial attendance management and reporting) by our staff member – integrating with your staff and exiting systems
- Trained and DBS checked volunteers who will tutor 40 of your students (Years 10 to 13) in a weekly one-to-one session across the academic year
- Bespoke trips to universities to encourage your students on the programme to see themselves at elite institutions
- Support for students to successfully transition to university as part of our alumni network
- Work with young people who have completed our programme who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to either (re)apply to university in the current academic year, plan for taking a gap year or find a suitable post-18 route
- Work experience and careers opportunities for your students through our network of tutors, events dedicated to a greater understanding of careers and a regular newsletter containing enrichment opportunities
- Access to study subscriptions such as AI Tutor and Uplearn as well as support packages such as Unifrog.
Student success stories
GCSE students embark on enriching university trips with The Access Project
February marked an exciting month for The Access Project as our Year 10 students embarked on their first university trips.Across the month, almost 500 students from The Access Project programmes were taken on trips to some of the country’s top universities. Our...
“It’s an amazing feeling to know you’ve helped someone” – Milly’s volunteering journey at The Access Project
The Access Project relies on the generosity of volunteers to make our mission a reality. More than 1,000 volunteer tutors work hard to help our young people raise their grades and get into top UK universities. Today, we're sharing the story of Milly - a student at the...
“I was homeless as a child, now I want to be Prime Minister” – Ras.I’s journey with The Access Project
As a toddler, Ras.I and his mum were left homeless in inner-city London. Now a finalist at the University of Oxford, Ras.I is ready to make a difference - and help change the lives of young people just like him. Ras.I Martin was born in 2001 in Stratford. "My...
What do our schools say about us?
“I set up the current partnership between Shirebrook Academy and The Access Project three years ago because of my belief in the need for students from disadvantaged areas to be given assistance in raising their aspirations. The results that we have seen at Shirebrook Academy have been very positive. I am proud that we have given our students the support that they need to excel at their studies and gain higher grades, while also receiving a huge boost to their self-esteem.”
Mark Cottingham, Headteacher, Shirebrook Academy
“Their programme of tutoring and impartial advice is a great example of the sustained, targeted, collaborative and robustly evaluated work we need into the future. Most importantly, it is demonstrably helping young people to unlock their potential by achieving the grades they need to get into the university of their choice.”
Chris Millward, Director of Widening Participation and Fair Access, the Office for Students
Frequently asked questions
Do you work where my school is based?
Currently we are set up to work in London, Birmingham and the Black Country, the East Midlands, West Yorkshire and the North West. If you are in one of these areas we’d love to hear from you.
Is my school eligible?
We focus our resources on the students who face the most challenges. That’s why we work with school partners who have:
30% or more students eligible for Free School Meals
or
50% or more students eligible for Pupil Premium
or
20% or more students are eligible for Free School Meals or 35% or more students are eligible for Pupil Premium AND the percentage of students from a POLAR Quintile 1 area is higher than 60%.
Which of my students are eligible to join the programme?
We work with students who have the academic ability to get into a top university and who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented at top universities. We work with schools to select students by looking at a number of indicators to make sure we work with those who need us most.
How do teachers input into the programme?
We value teacher input very highly, and our in-school staff member ensures that the time commitment required from busy school staff is as minimal as possible. We know teachers are best placed to identify which areas in a student’s tutored subject it would be most beneficial for them to work on. We ask teachers to select topic areas twice a year and we share these with tutors. Along with this targeted subject information, tutors get comprehensive resources designed by subject experts, helping them to tutor these topic areas in the most effective way.
How do we keep track of progress?
We work closely with schools to have an ongoing dialogue focussed on delivering the best outcomes for students. This includes a termly report to you on progress.
You can read our latest impact report by visiting our impact pages.
What do you ask of the volunteer tutors?
As a tutoring charity we ask our volunteers to tutor online for an hour a week during term-time, in a subject they are passionate about. You can read more about our volunteering requirements by visiting our volunteering pages.
Register your interest
If you would like to find out more about we work with schools and can support young people at your school, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Register your interest
If you would like to find out more about we work with schools and can support young people at your school, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Contact info
The Access Project,
First Floor, Canopi-Borough,
7-14 Great Dover Street,
London,
SE1 4YR
020 4513 5999
info@theaccessproject.org.uk
Media enquiries:
line: 020 4513 5999 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm)
media@theaccessproject.org.uk
The Access Project safeguarding line: 020 4513 5999 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm)
NSPCC 24 hour line:
0808 800 5000
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about we work with schools and can support young people at your school, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Contact information
The Access Project,
First Floor, Canopi-Borough,
7-14 Great Dover Street,
London,
SE1 4YR
020 4513 5999
info@theaccessproject.org.uk
Media enquiries:
line: 020 4513 5999 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm)
media@theaccessproject.org.uk
The Access Project safeguarding line: 020 4513 5999 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm)
NSPCC 24 hour line:
0808 800 5000