St Anne’s College has always been committed to ensuring the brightest and most ambitious students from all backgrounds can access an Oxford education. We believe that difference should be respected, promoted and celebrated; as diversity of people, their ideas and accomplishments are a rich source of learning for all. The Governing Body of the College was consulted on the major access initiatives announced by the University today and supports the introduction of Opportunity Oxford and Foundation Oxford. Read more about these initiatives: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2019-05-20-two-new-oxford-initiatives-help-students-under-represented-backgrounds.
We will also continue with the significant outreach work we do. So far this academic year, we have coordinated or been involved in the delivery of approximately 95 different outreach events and activities with UK school-age students. Through this activity, we have engaged with over 2,300 students, reaching young people who attend more than 140 state secondary and primary schools in our link regions and beyond. During summer 2019, we are also holding another two-night North East Open Day Residential event (including free transport, accommodation and meals) for 90 state school students and teachers in collaboration with Trinity and Lincoln colleges. We continue to encourage applications from students from all backgrounds including under-represented groups.
Working in partnership with Christ Church, on behalf of the University of Oxford, St Anne’s has just launched an exciting new initiative, Aim for Oxford. This will support disadvantaged, high achieving state school applicants in the North East of England from their GCSE results through to making strong applications for, and then arriving at, Oxford. Selection for places will be on the basis of contextualised educational achievement at GCSE together with indicators of social and educational disadvantage. The 40 successful applicants will be expected to meet at least one of a number of widening participation criteria. Find out more: http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/about/news/item/article/launch-of-aim-for-oxford-programme.
Thanks to the support of the COSARAF Charitable Foundation we will be able to offer one Sheikh Family Scholarship each year to a UK Muslim student who faces financial hardship and, ideally, is the first in their family to attend university. This will provide a student with up to £10,000 per year towards the cost of their tuition fees and living expenses, a personal mentor and a tailored leadership support programme, paid Summer internship at a leading charity and ongoing support from COSARAF. Find out more: https://www.cosaraf.org/cosaraf-charitable-foundation-announces-300000-education-support-package/.
Our Outreach Officer, Dr Lucy Busfield, can be contacted by schools, youth organisations or prospective applicants at outreach@st-annes.ox.ac.uk. Open Days will take place on 3 and 4 July, and 20 September.