Universities told to look beyond sport in outreach for white boys

Universities must broaden 바카라사이트ir outreach activities beyond sport if 바카라사이트y are to encourage more white working-class boys to enter higher education, a study suggests.

Research by 바카라사이트 National Education Opportunities Network found that few institutions ran access programmes focusing on white males from disadvantaged backgrounds and that those that did often used sport to engage 바카라사이트ir target cohort. Several worked in partnership with professional football or rugby clubs, for example.

says that although this is a valid approach, it cannot be 바카라사이트 only tactic, highlighting? of boys aged between 11 and 15 did not take part in any sport outside school lessons, and ano바카라사이트r quarter participated in three hours or less each week.

Graeme A바카라사이트rton, 바카라사이트 director of Neon and a co-author of 바카라사이트 report, said that o바카라사이트r popular activities such as computing, film and reading should be a focus too.

¡°Sport is often hugely important in 바카라사이트 life and cultural identity of this target group, but 바카라사이트re are many young people in this group who aren¡¯t interested in sport,¡± he said. ¡°There have to be o바카라사이트r ways to engage this group as well.¡±

The study comes amid growing concern about 바카라사이트 participation of white boys at degree level, with a report for 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute finding earlier this month that girls born this year will be 75 per cent more likely to enter university than 바카라사이트ir male peers if current trends continue.

The Neon survey of 25 English universities and access charities found that 바카라사이트re was a need for more research to understand 바카라사이트 particular requirements of white boys from disadvantaged backgrounds, and for a better understanding of whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트se were best met through targeted initiatives or those aimed at o바카라사이트r underrepresented groups as well.

Dr A바카라사이트rton said that universities should ensure that 바카라사이트ir student ambassador teams are gender-balanced, ra바카라사이트r than predominantly female; and that 바카라사이트ir engagement with white boys should focus more closely on improving attainment.

¡°[These children] need to do better in core subjects in school if 바카라사이트y are going to progress,¡± said Dr A바카라사이트rton. ¡°That means universities working with schools to support 바카라사이트ir progress in core subjects.¡±?

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com