The University has become one of a small pilot cohort to receive approval from the Office for Students (OfS) for its Access and Participation Plan for 2024 – 2028. We were one of around forty universities to volunteer to participate in the initial phase of OfS reforms to support equality of opportunity.
Gino Graziano, Director of Widening Participation and Social Mobility, said “This approval is such fantastic news – the commitment, effort and passion that went into pulling the Plan together from across the University is a real testament to our collegiate spirit and determination to be at the forefront of social progress in the sector. To be one of the first universities to throw themselves into these reforms means that we can help to shape the direction of fair access and participation in future years.”
The Plan outlines the University’s commitment to supporting students from underrepresented groups to access, succeed at and progress from the University. Key priorities include supporting students from lower socio-economic groups though all stages of their time with us and tackling the awarding gap between Black and White students.
Work in access and participation plays a key part in supporting the University’s strategic ambitions across multiple areas – Education and Student Experience, Civic, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Approval of the Plan allows us to move forward with some exciting developments such as the expansion of the University’s flagship widening participation programme Ignite Southampton and Reading Buddies: a project to support literacy in local schools.
The approval comes following the University’s achievement of Gold and Highly Commended at the Social Mobility Awards 2023.