Several public school A-level students will receive additional tuition from the University of the University Cambridge As part of a pilot program to alleviate education disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The 17-month program for approximately 750 math, physics and chemistry students will include online tutoring, group supervision, mentoring and accommodation at Cambridge University.
Starting in January, students will receive support from the second semester of 12th semester to 13th A-level through the “STEM SMART” program to help bridge the performance gap caused by Covid-19.
The pilot program also aims to build the confidence of disadvantaged students and encourage them to apply to study engineering or physical sciences at leading universities such as Cambridge.
students Participants in the program will be invited to spend four days at a university in the city, where they will experience life as a Cambridge student.
Covid continues to exacerbate existing educational inequalities, and many schools face unprecedented challenges in dealing with the legacy of the pandemic
Most select universities are under pressure to improve the access to higher education of different student groups, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Last month, the university’s early admission data showed that about 72% of British undergraduates entering the University of Cambridge will receive education in the state sector, up from 70.6% in 2020.
This summer, nearly 45% of A-level entries in the UK received high marks.
Public school students who are eligible to participate in the program may live in poverty-stricken areas, are entitled to free school meals during middle school, have nursing experience, or are unable to provide A-level further mathematics courses in school.
Being able to meet and collaborate with Cambridge University experts and current Cambridge undergraduates to understand how they solve specific problems and understand the life of their courses is indeed a unique opportunity for our students
Professor Stephen Tupp, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “The COVID-19 epidemic continues to exacerbate existing educational inequalities, and many schools face unprecedented challenges in dealing with the legacy of the pandemic.
“As part of the university’s mission to contribute to society through the pursuit of learning, the STEM SMART program will support A-level students’ study in non-paying schools from the first year to the exam.
“This is support for the talented students who need it most, at a time when they need it more than ever.”
Eligible students usually have at least a 7 (A) level General Secondary Education Certificate Mathematics and double science GCSE at least 66 (BB) or Physics 6 (B) and Chemistry 6 (B) as separate sciences.
In June, the Ministry of Education (DfE) announced that it will provide 1.4 billion pounds in funding on top of the 1.7 billion pounds promised to catch up to help students in U.K Make up for lost learning.
Former Education Catch-up Commissioner Sir Kevin Collins called the government’s 1.4 billion pound fund “a bit weak”. He proposed a 15 billion pound education recovery plan.
David Barkley, Dean of the Physics Department at Mayflower High School in Billerique, Essex, said: “Our students have experienced unprecedented difficult times in their education, so the extra tuition is the extra time that teachers want to give. And details, but sometimes not because of the requirements of this job-very popular, especially now.
“Being able to meet and collaborate with Cambridge University experts and current Cambridge undergraduates to understand how they solve specific problems and understand the life of their courses is truly a unique opportunity for our students.”
