Delivering a fresh approach to access and participation

With John Blake due to start as the new Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students (OfS) in early 2022, we believe now is the time to both take lessons forward from the current access and participation plan (APP) process, and to think innovatively about ways to drive social mobility in the years ahead.

This includes a strong focus on how to expand and strengthen university–school partnerships, aimed at improving attainment for those in primary school as well as older pupils that may be considering higher education. A collection of case studies showcasing how universities can best deliver on access and participation and accelerate education recovery is included in our briefing.

Universities stand ready to play a significant part in the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, including through placing a greater focus on the needs of their local communities and employers. This includes designing access and participation plans based on the challenges of their specific area (eg existing levels of participation amongst specific groups), and working with employers to diversify their graduate intakes and deliver the skills they need.