Supporting ‘top third’ students from non-selective state schools to access ‘top third’ universities
The Elephant Group was founded in 2018 by school Principal Matt Jones OBE and fellow headteachers to address the systematic under-representation of talented students from non-selective state schools at ‘top third’ universities. Watch our brief introductory video here:https://tinyurl.com/4fapddjh
Just 23% of non-selective state school students are offered places at ‘top third’ universities – those research-intensive universities, often (but not exclusively) in the Russell Group that offer the highest graduate earnings, networks and employment opportunities. This compares to 56% of those attending private fee-paying schools reaching these universities.
Impact
Last academic year (2020-21), 90% of our current Year 13s applied to a top third university and 54% went on to enrol. In the same year, UCAS analysis shows that we had:
– a ‘very significantly high’ impact on students’ applications to ‘high tariff’ universities (69% of our applicants applied to these universities compared to 51% of similar students in similar schools nationally)
– a ‘significantly high impact’ on students’ enrolments to ‘high tariff’ universities (57% of our applicants were accepted compared to 51% of similar students in similar schools nationally)
– 90% of our Free School Meals applicants went on to enter a ‘top third’ university.
– We have high impact in all regions, but particularly outside London – 40% of our Yorkshire cohort enrolled at a top third university last year, compared to a regional average of 14%.
Want to learn more:
We’re looking to work with partners in the higher education sector. If you’d be interested in working with us, contact us on team@theelephantgroup.org