Discussion
The four schools which participated in this research all have a programme of events and activities related to careers and outreach . The discussion focuses upon ways in which this provision could be improved in relation to the following aims of phase two of the Uni Connect programme :
• Support young people to make well-informed decisions about their future education
• Support effective and impactful local collaboration by higher education providers working together with schools , colleges , employers and other partners ( OfS , 2021a ).
Over the past year , schools have been focused on the learning that has been lost to COVID , and careers provision and outreach activity have not be high on schools agendas ( Bowes and Patel , 2021 ). This was reinforced by School C who stated that because students had missed so much learning over the past year , they were keen that students did not miss even more , and that was a particular challenge in areas such as careers . However , that does not mean that the provision has disappeared completely ., The schools within this study adapted to and made greater use of online provision and web-based materials . Looking forward and considering the views of Bowes and Patel ( 2021 ) there is a need to re-engage with target learners , by integrating face to face and online delivery methods , so that young people are still able to make those well-informed decisions about their future . Organisations supporting schools should ensure that they are at the forefront of this process . For example , all schools in this research appeared very keen to engage with local providers , particularly in relation to Gatsby 7 and the delivery of HE related experiences . This is an area that can be built upon .
With this loss of HE related experiences , the need to develop the cultural capital of target learners is perhaps now more important than ever , as : “ the extent to which Covid-19 has both exposed and exacerbated the inequality in our society cannot be overstated ” ( Social Mobility Foundation , 2021 , p . 2 ). This was recognised by School A :
‘ For those kids [ pupil premium ] it ’ s all about cultural capital isn ’ t it , giving them those experiences which perhaps they haven ’ t got in their own families ’
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