On the OfS Equality of Opportunity Risk Register (EORR) students from low-income households feature as
higher risk across all risks monitored regarding access, continuation, completion, success and progression.
Free School Meal eligibility is one of the best proxy indicators for low-income households, yet there is very limited insight exploring the lived experiences of young people eligible for Free School Meals to understand the material, social and affective aspects of their experience and how that relates to their future success and outcomes.
In this unique qualitative insight project, we will explore the lived experience of students eligible for Free School Meals and how universities could better support their decision-making and recruitment journeys.
Why join this project?
- Inform your strategy and work involved in communicating and engaging with prospective undergraduate students eligible for Free School Meals effectively.
- Provide evidence to support your university’s activities with Free School Meal eligible pupils for widening access and progression plans.
- Identify opportunities for new programmes or initiatives that could better support the decision-making journeys of young people who are eligible for Free School Meals.
- Provide an evidence base to secure the necessary funding for new work/initiatives, and engage other university stakeholders in a joined-up approach
What will the project explore?
The qualitative interview guide will be shaped in conjunction with the universities who choose to participate in this research project, based around the following crucial questions:
How does is work and what are the costs?
The strategic national collaborative insight costs £3,950 + VAT to participate in and includes:
- Fresh, qualitative evidence will be captured through 30 depth interviews with Y12 and Y13 pupils who are currently eligible for Free School Meals, or have been eligible during the past six years
- A smart, succinct, highly visual report with practical recommendations to help you better engage with and support the decision-making and recruitment journeys of prospective Free School Meal eligible students.
- We’ll bring together participating institutions in online events to shape the project and to discuss the findings and ideas for action
In addition to joining the national project, you can also choose to add on a bespoke option to tailor the research engagement even further to your own institution.
The project commenced in September 2024 and will complete by January 2025, so please get in touch now to arrange to talk if you’re interested to hear more about how you can join us, and the 13 universities who are already confirmed to participate.
For more information about how to join click here to email Sharon Steele, Marketing and Client Communities Director, at sharon.steele@alterline.co.uk.