Target Schools

Target Schools is now 25 years old.  Its alumni include cabinet ministers such as Ed Miliband (I have a letter signed by him on my wall from when he was a co-chair) and it got widening participation (or access as we call it in Oxford) on the University's agenda.  The University now invests millions of pounds a year reaching out to students from all backgrounds to encourage them to consider applying to Oxford.

Target Schools still has a role though as a student led organisation.  Hundreds of students volunteer every year to help out, with open days, writing the alternative prospectus and visiting their local schools.  At Council on Friday, a new program for Target Schools was decided.  This program: summer visiting scheme, open days for Women, Black, Minority and Ethnic Students and Students with Disabilities, the Alternative Prospectus, Mentoring Scheme with local schools, new interview support website and supporting the work of Common Room Reps, seeks to use our key resource - you.  A student going back to a school, or meeting prospective applicants to tell them exactly what Oxford is like, is probably the most powerful tool any access scheme has.  There will be more information about how to get involved over the course of the year, but if you are interested, please do email me (Access@ousu.org).