In these dark times it was fun to read two articles in The Times today. Take the time to read the following: Rebecca Hardman was told by her first primary school that she wouldn’t do well, that she wasn’t academic and that she was too shy to get on. Fifteen years later, she is at the University of Manchester, studying English literature, having passed her A levels with an A* and two As. “It was one reason why I switched primary schools,” said Rebecca, 21, who grew up in a former council house in a poor area of Middleton, Greater Manchester. “I didn’t have a lot of confidence about my abilities. I never thought I would go to university. I’m from a working-class family and neither of my parents had been to university. It just wasn’t talked about as a possibility. I was thinking more about being a hairdresser.” She went on to Middleton Technology School until she was 16 and then to Oldham Sixth Form College where she signed up for the Manchester Access Programme (MAP), run by the university. The programme is designed to spot bright students and to try to support them into university. The students are given extra course work, a 1,500-word essay and told to put on an exhibition — all in their spare time. “I did an exhibition on poverty which I presented to the university, and I did my assignment on comparing Jane Eyre with Oliver Twist.” The programme shows how to apply to university, and gives presentation and research skills. “The assignments boosted my confidence as I realised I could be the person who stands up and gives an answer. I could speak out and express my thoughts.” The scheme gives 40 extra Ucas points — the difference between two Bs and two As at A level — for students who apply to Manchester or other universities in the scheme. “In the end I didn’t need the extra points, but they were a good incentive.” The programme also gives £1,000 a year during the university course if the students go to Manchester, although Rebecca won a scholarship of £5,000 a year because of her high grades. She reflected that most of the people in the area she grew up in did not get to university because they were never given the opportunity. “At the time many people didn’t even go on to college and just left to get jobs,” she said. “[MAP] shows it doesn’t matter where you come from, but only where you are going. It doesn’t matter coming from a working-class background because they can see your potential,” said Rebecca, who wants to become a primary school teacher. Oh, I love education! And watch this: https://youtube/watch?v=aN7lt0CYwHg Ru rocks!
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:06:39 +0000
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