A learning centre in Coventry, run by the national charity IntoUniversity in partnership with the University of Warwick, has celebrated its fifth anniversary of working with schools and the local community to support young people in the area to realise their ambitions.

The centre provides thousands of young people in the Hillfields area of the city with access to new opportunities and vital long-term support from an early age. IntoUniversity’s programme of Academic Support, Mentoring and aspiration-raising workshops and trips help to raise young people’s achievements, increase their knowledge of future options, and develop their soft skills so they can make an informed choice about their future.

The centre was established in Hillfields five years ago to tackle educational inequalities which have seen young people in the area significantly underrepresented in higher education.

Since the centre opened, IntoUniversity Coventry has had a noticeable impact on young people in the area; with over 4,000 young people supported, including numerous trips to the University of Warwick to find out more about university life and learning.

During the most recent academic year, 71% of IntoUniversity Coventry students progressed into higher education, compared to the local average of 30%. Recent analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that around 40% of young people in Coventry experience poverty. Just 30% of young people in the local area go on to attend university, compared to a national average of 44%.

An event to celebrate the fifth anniversary was held on Wednesday 22^nd May at the centre, with students and families, community stakeholders and supporters from the University attending.

Paul Blagburn, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Warwick said: “The University of Warwick is proud to be working in partnership with social mobility charity IntoUniversity. Together, over the past five years we have supported thousands of young people to consider the possible and inspired the next generation of computer scientists, historians, and economists. We look forward to enhancing our partnership over the next five years and beyond.”

Dr Rachel Carr OBE, Chief Executive and founder of IntoUniversity, said, “We’re delighted to be celebrating the five-year anniversary of our Coventry centre and our partnership with the University of Warwick. Together, we have worked with thousands of talented young people in Hillfields, supporting them to realise their ambitions and achieve their educational potential. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership in the years to come.”


ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Media enquiries to:
Vicky Beard, Communications Manager, IntoUniversity
victoria.beard@intouniversity.org
020 7243 0242

Kat Beauchamp
Communications Officer (Press Office)
Marketing, Communications & Insight | The University of Warwick
Katherine.beauchamp@warwick.ac.uk |Mobile: 07880 175 408

About IntoUniversity
IntoUniversity is an Education Charity Registered Charity Number 1118525 (England and Wales) and SC049776 (Scotland) which runs local learning centres that are inclusive of all academic abilities and help young people facing disadvantage to achieve a university place or another positive post-school destination. IntoUniversity currently runs 41 centres in many of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods across England and Scotland. IntoUniversity centres have a strong track record of improving outcomes for young people. In 2023, 61% of IntoUniversity students secured a university place compared with 28% of school leavers from similar backgrounds. Find out more: www.intouniversity.org