Overview of the SUN The Southern Universities Network ( SUN ) is a partnership comprising six Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs ) across the South Coast – Arts University Bournemouth , Bournemouth University , Southampton Solent University , University of Portsmouth , University of Southampton , and University of Winchester . We work closely with the Uni Connect target schools and colleges , the five local authorities ; and the three Careers Education Company within the SUN geographical area .
The SUN was originally assigned 70 target wards across Hampshire , Isle of Wight and Dorset where young people ’ s HE participation is both low and much lower than expected GCSE attainment . The original Uni Connect population estimates of students who were in mainstream education in Years 9 -13 , was just over 28,000 eligible students at the start of the Targeted Outreach programme in January 2017 . As the targeted element of the Uni Connect programme has diminished by one year group each year , the current population is approx . 16800 for the Targeted Outreach work . This will continue to diminish by approx . 5600 per year until the end of the programme in July 2025 . However , the Strategic Outreach numbers are likely to remain at approx . 28,000 and increasing if the programme extends to lower year groups .
Targeting Criteria
Targeted Outreach
Students domiciled in OfS-identified postcodes ( POLAR 3 Quintile 1 ). 2022-23 : Year 10 – 13 2023-24 : Year 11 – 13 2024-25 : Year 12 - 13
Strategic Outreach • Students domiciled in areas of low participation to HE ( both POLAR 4 Quintile 1 and 2 and TUNDRA LSOA / MSOA Quintile 1 and 2 ) and areas of high deprivation ( IMD Q1 , IDACI Q1 , SEISA Decile 1 and 2 )
• Eligible for Free School Meals
• Pupil Premium
• Young Carer
• Care Experienced
• Estranged or in Kinship care
• Service Child
• Students with disabilities
Attainment Raising Schools :
• Progress 8 score is -0.5
• Number of students gaining 4-9 GCSEs is 49 % or less
In addition , schools are prioritised who also meet the following criteria :
• Eligibility for Free School Meals is higher than the national average ( 24 %)
• IMD Deprivation is 40 % or higher
• IDACI Deprivation is 40 % or higher
• POLAR 4 Quintile 1 is 50 % or higher
• TUNDRA LSOA Quintile 1 is 50 % or higher
• TUNDRA MSOA Quintile 1 is 50 % or higher