This report looks at data published annually by Department of Education on participation in higher education by area or those from free school meal (FSM)/non free school meal (FSM) backgrounds. This annual data release entitled ‘Widening participation in higher education’ includes estimates of state-funded pupils’ progression to higher education (HE) by age 19 according to their personal characteristics at age 15. It also looks at evidence commissioned by the Department of Education pointing to growth in demand for those with higher education qualifications over the last decade. This evidence points to the narrowing of opportunity that the majority of young people from FSM backgrounds face.
