London schools lead turnaround in university participation numbers
People in secondary teaching jobs in London appear to be getting the best out of their classes as new figures show that pupils in the capital are more likely to go to university than their peers anywhere else in the UK.
A report from the Higher Education Funding Council for England found young people in London are 43 per cent more likely to study for a degree than their counterparts in the north-east of England, which was the area with the lowest amount of undergraduates.
The regional variations were part of a wider analysis of the changing patterns of young people who go to university, which examined trends between 1998-99 and 2011-12.
London had the highest levels of university participation back in 1988-99 (35 per cent), but this had still improved dramatically by 2011-12, when the proportion of pupils going to university had risen to 48 per cent.
Where London teachers have performed admirably is helping youngsters from disadvantaged areas go on to study at university. In 1998-99, youngsters in the capital's poorer low participation boroughs were the least likely in the country to go to university, but by 2011-12 they are at the top of the regional league table. According to the report, 23 per cent of youngsters in London living in poorer areas now go on to study a degree.
In fact, the study shows that London schools account for more than half of all the extra disadvantaged entrants brought into higher education across England between 1998-99 and 201-12.
Professor Les Ebdon, head of the Office for Fair Access, said there had been "sustained progress" in increasing participation in higher education, but warned further improvement could be made with the process beginning at primary level.
"This means encouraging children from an early age to think about higher education as an option, supporting teenagers as they make key decisions, and working with employers to reach out to potential mature students," he added.
Is there any more London schools and teachers can do to help their pupils into further education? Let us know your views.
