OfS funded local networks inspire young people to enter higher education

“We know that sustained and targeted outreach is key to reducing the gaps in higher education participation between different groups of students, and that universities need to work closely with schools, colleges, charities and local agencies to achieve this. So I am very pleased to see the progress made by the OfS-funded NCOP, which enables exactly this kind of outreach in an effective and efficient way.

“In its first year of operation, NCOP is already showing signs of success. It has enabled a range of organisations who are best placed to identify and address local barriers to take a more joined-up approach. It has reached significant numbers of schools, colleges and young people and looks set to increase its reach even further in the next year. And the early signs are that NCOP activities are contributing to improved information, advice and guidance for young people at key milestones in their education.

“NCOP is a great example of the kind of outreach activity we need – evidence-based, targeted, robustly evaluated, bringing local partners together and harnessing university resources and expertise to meet the needs of schools and teachers, students and their families. The OfS will ensure that this learning drives improvements to higher education outreach in the future.”