Cambridge
University's student union access officer is working hard to dispel the myths
that act as barriers to state school children applying to top universities. She
states:
For the moment, different institutions are working to improve
access to "top" universities in very good, but gradual, ways (and I
call them "top" universities hesitantly as many are top for
traditional, academic subjects but not for agricultural studies, dentistry,
sports science, media studies, theatre design, photography’.
Cambridge University is the only students' union in the country to
have its own full-time access officer, who runs initiatives to encourage
academic students from under-represented backgrounds to apply to Cambridge and
other top universities.
We have the widespread student
passion for access in the bag. There is no dispute that our university must
have more realistic appeal to more students from a greater array of
backgrounds. What the Students' Union is lacking is a base of communication and
collaboration with teachers, who do most of the ground work before we can step
in to allay students' fears or dispel some of those myths that act as barriers
to Cambridge and Oxford.
There are many students and teachers which maintain a sceptical
attitude towards applying for Oxford and Cambridge.
‘Seeing as teachers are a constant
guide to students, and also influential at the most pivotal moments, they need
to join up more in our efforts. So, I'm turning to you all, not just to recite
"the facts about Cambridge" but to ask you for your advice too. In my
eyes, Cambridge access initiatives will have worked when teachers, pupils and
parents know what we're actually looking for, aren't nervous or averse to
getting involved and really trust us as a warm, inclusive, fantastic place to
study. (Cambridge University, student union access officer).
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