AfricanCaribbean Males in HE: What are Universities doing to widen participation Here is one univers

1
African-Caribbean Males in HE What are
Universities doing to widen participation? Here
is one universitys responseDr Beverley
CrooksBrunel University West London
2
Context

• Brent West London one of the most culturally
  diverse areas in the country
• Ethnic minority groups in the majority
• Famous landmark Wembley Stadium
• ¾ of Brents school pupils are from an ethnic
  minority group
• 130 languages spoken by school age children

3
Top 20 participation rates for 18 year olds by
parliamentary constituency and cohort for 2008
4
London Borough of Brent

5
Observations and Response

• Few attended Aimhigher and GnT
• Invited African Caribbean Boys
• Response from schools and colleagues
• Activities included
• HE Awareness
• Why study?
• Science taster days
• Summer Schools

6
Brunel University

• Established in 1966
• Full time provision - 18 year olds
• Medium size 13,000 students
• Geographical neighbours Thames Valley,
  Westminster, Roehampton and St Marys
• League Table Position Independent 41, Times 47,
  Guardian 53

7
Observations and Response

• Few attended Aimhigher and GnT
• Invited African Caribbean Boys
• Response from schools and colleagues
• Activities included
• HE Awareness
• Why study?
• Science taster days
• Summer Schools

8
Brents Pupil Referral Unit

• KS3 - 70 black 50 African Caribbean
• KS4 72 black 65 African Caribbean
• University invitation?
• 10 GCSEs offered
• Full time provision
• Annual event

9
Brunel Profile

• 13,000 - 14,500 students
• High ethnic minority population 56 (2007/8)
• UG FT African-Caribbean male entrants
• 2002/3 29
• 2003/4 17
• 2004/5 28
• 2005/6 24
• 2006/7 31
• 2007/8 41
• 2008/9 - 51

10
Pupil and Student Voices

• What might stop you from going to University?
• Scared I wont make it Y9
• Friends Y10
• Friends that want to put me down Y10
• Attended Aimhigher events?
• WP students - No

11
Lessons

• Target hard to reach colleagues
• Small groups
• Bespoke programmes ambassadors
• Annual event
• More than one visit

12
Conclusion

• Impact on pupils and teachers
• Expectations
• Impact on the university
• Policy and monitoring
• Further investigations
• Track pupils