Supporting disadvantaged learners
Step into Success is the Southampton Solent University widening participation programme, which aims to support progression to higher education for disadvantaged learners. The programme works with learners in priority schools and colleges from years 5 to 13, in addition to targeted community groups. Participants in the programme have access to a variety of activities, events and resources which aim to raise awareness of higher education, raise career aspirations, and support educational attainment.
The programme aligns with our Access and Participation Plan, working with Southampton Education Forum schools, colleges, virtual schools, and local community organisations. The programme is inclusive, however we prioritise learners who:
- are from areas of either low income household, low socio-economic status, and/or high deprivation.
- are from a neighbourhood of low participation in HE.
- are from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic groups (BAME).
- are in care or care leavers.
- are from underrepresented groups or facing other barriers including:
- mature learners,
- learners with disabilities,
- learners from military service families,
- learners that are estranged from their families,
- learners who are refugees,
- learners that are young carers,
- learners from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Programme themes
The programmes integrate themes around careers, progression, school attainment and higher education, with strong links to the national curriculum and the Gatsby Benchmarks. We have on- and off-campus delivery options, in addition to virtual events.
We work with targeted partner schools/colleges (see list, below) and community organisations, however, where possible, we will support disadvantaged learners from other settings (including providing access to many of our events).
Solent has been proactive in designing a programme specifically for our young people. They recognise the significant barriers that care experienced young people may have and offer innovative strategies to engage and support, not only the young people, but their carers too.
Priority schools
- Banister Primary School
- Compass School
- Bitterne Park School
- Cantell School
- Mount Pleasant Junior School
- Oasis Academy Lordshill
- Oasis Academy Mayfield
- Oasis Academy Sholing
- Redbridge Community School
- Regents Park Community College
- St George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton
- St Anne's Catholic School
- St John's Primary and Nursery School
- St Mark's School
- The Polygon School
- Upper Shirley High School
- Weston Secondary School
- Woodlands Community College
Solent University has a targeted programme of activities, therefore fulfilling ad hoc requests is not always possible. We are always happy to support/invite local non-priority schools to other events where we can. This includes school careers fairs and some of our on-campus events.
Working with Solent has given an insight to so many of our students across the city, enabling them to see the potential that a higher qualification brings, opening the doors to opportunities local, national and international.
Get in touch
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like our team to support your learners. Further large events for all are listed on our events page.
Sign up to our newsletter
Keep up to date by signing up to our widening participation newsletter.
Sign up now
