London plays its part in testing new approaches to equality of opportunity work
London’s higher education institutions and schools will contribute to a host of newly-announced initiatives funded through the Office for Students’ Equality in Higher Education Innovation Fund.
The funding will support 11 new collaborative initiatives that tackle key sector-wide risks outlined in the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register. Four of the projects include delivery partners that are based in London. These will focus on improving understanding of students’ experiences prior to entering HE, to better align their expectations of HE with their experiences in it; closing socio-economic gaps in HE participation; supporting young people on a child protection plan; and inclusive assessment practices.
It is a pivotal moment for equality of opportunity work, with the government signalling that it wants the higher education sector to redouble efforts to widen access and participation. In the context of funding constraints and evidence that students from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to fare less well in progressing to, and succeeding in, higher education, innovative approaches will be required.
This applies as much in London as in other parts of the country. London Higher’s recent Hyper-Diversity Revisited report makes clear that the coming decade will bring opportunities for, but also threats to, equality of opportunity. It calls for a coordinated, cross-sector response to sustain advances in widening access and participation. The Innovation Fund projects will form an important part of this and London Higher looks forward to supporting them as they progress, as well as platforming their outcomes to maximise their benefit to the wider sector.
