Winstanley College tackles social mobility to higher education head on

Winstanley College prides itself on giving every single student the opportunity to pursue their dream of attending university regardless of their background, race, or social opportunities. 

In March 2021, the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) published a new paper which discussed the contribution of higher education establishments to social mobility. 

The Index challenges the often-made assumption that only particular kinds of universities make a substantial impact on social mobility, and that all universities could make a more substantial contribution in offering places to students from lower income families or from deprived postcode areas. 

This year, the college has helped 92 students to receive offers from their chosen university who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to do so historically. 

Former All Saints’ RCHS, Kirkby student, Tylan, who has received an offer from the University of Leeds to study Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies and Management said: “I could not have done this without the support of my personal tutor Lauren who helped me through the UCAS application process and has made my dream come true! I can’t wait to start my next steps at one of the best aviation universities in the country.” 

Another student to receive an offer from the University of Leeds is Hannah Abbott from Cansfield High School, whose offer is for Geography. She said: “I chose Leeds as my first choice because it was so unbelievably welcoming during the whole process and the facilities are state of the art, right near the city centre. When I complete my degree, I want to become either a teacher or foreign aid worker.” 

Other students to receive offers are Melissa Carrabyne from Litherland High School who has received an offer from Kings College London to study Mental Health Nursing, and Andrew Campbell from Fred Longworth High School who has an offer for Physics at the University of Manchester. 

Winstanley College has a number of academic challenge opportunities for students to sign up to including the Oxbridge and Medics, Dentists and Vets programmes, alongside a number of Professional Pathways.  

This year, the college helped eight students from disadvantaged postcode areas into Oxbridge, alongside five free school meal students and seven bursary students. One of these students is Aga Gryguc, a former Our Lady’s Queen of Peace, Skelmersdale, student who has received an offer to study Law with European Law at Oxford.  

The opportunities for these students are now endless and shows that Winstanley strives to help students to achieve the best they can and aid their chances of being accepted into some of the UK’s most prestigious universities.