IntoUniversity

IntoUniversity has over 30 local learning centres around the UK where young people are introduced to higher education through structured programmes of tailored sessions aimed at giving young people with the skills they need, to progress in their education journey. Learning centres have strong working partnerships with local schools and are set up to deliver Academic Support (from trained staff and volunteers with access to books and computers) Mentoring (by graduates who have been through the system) and the FOCUS programme providing support for primary and secondary school students.

Until 2017 there were no learning centres in the North West. The estimated cost of establishing and running a new learning centre is approximately £1.1 million over five years. The University of Manchester decided to partner with IntoUniversity to help fund and extend its outreach programme to attract children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Manchester by establishing a centre at the Co-Op Academy North in Blackley. This is one of the first IntoUniversity learning centres in the North West, opening in early 2019.

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Our involvement in the project…

The Trustees of the Crosslane Foundation have decided that the aims and objectives of The University of Manchester and IntoUniversity align with its own ambitions of improving the future potential of young people via education and learning new skills. With the headquarters of the Crosslane Group business being based in Manchester the location of the new learning centre was an obvious fit to allow the organisation to make a difference in the local area. Committed funding from the Crosslane Foundation will provide tutors, facilities, equipment and mentoring & coaching resources for IntoUniversity to improve the chances of more young people from this geographic area to attend university through improved attitudes to learning and improved academic performance, along with employability skills
Project target:

£200,000

Project location:

Manchester

Project beneficiaries:

Year 3 to year 13

Project target date:

2024

The Crosslane Foundation’s aim and mission is to support young people from less advantaged backgrounds, which is extremely important to us here at The University of Manchester. Widening participation is firmly embedded into how we run our institution. We believe passionately in supporting all young people to achieve their aspirations through our outreach work and social responsibility agenda and that there should be no barriers to studying or learning. We decided to partner with IntoUniversity as it provides an opportunity to engage with a community’s young people and families in a sustained and meaningful way. IntoUniversity Manchester North, based in Blackley, opened its doors to students in November 2018. In its first year the centre has worked with 1,011 individual students. Within the ward that Blackley is in, the proportion of the population with level 4 qualifications or higher is 16% in comparison to 34% in Manchester as a city. This has been made possible through the generous funding of donors such as The Crosslane Foundation, who along with The University are committed to making a difference in our local community. At The University we know the value of working together to transform people’s lives and we are so pleased to be partnering with Crosslane to achieve our shared vision. You play an important part in what we do to help ensure a better tomorrow, and are at the forefront of creating positive change in Manchester and beyond. Thank you!
Stephanie Lee, Head of Widening Participation, The University of Manchester
BHR 27 January 2020. Tracking changes accepted

Help us make a real difference to young people who need it…