White Working Class Males in British Higher Education
Figure 2 : Share of entrants by POLAR quintile across institutions by tariff type
Overall data tells us that white working class young men appear to be disadvantaged in relation to their ethnicity , gender and social background , a finding which is confirmed by analysis of UCAS data ( UCAS , 2015 , p . 15 ):
Statistical methods that combine multiple equality dimensions show greater difference . For pupils in stage schools a multidimensional measure combining sex , ethnic group , area background and free school meal status showed that the most advantaged ( in term of entry rates ) quintile was over three times more likely to enter higher education than the most disadvantage quintile . In 2015 , the entry rate of the least advantaged fifth of pupils on this basis was 14 per cent , an increase of 0.3 percentage points (+ 2 per cent proportionally ). The entry rate for the most advantaged fifth of pupils on this basis was 45 per cent , an increase on 2014 of 1.1 percentage points (+ 3 per cent proportionally ). The difference between these groups showed no change in 2015 .
2.3 Characteristics of local area
8
Situated within the South East of England , the Solent region has ‘ a population of more than 1.3 million and over 50,000 businesses ’, and ‘ is an internationally-recognised key economic hub anchored around the Isle of Wight , the two cities of Portsmouth and Southampton , the M27 corridor and the Solent waterway ’ ( Solent LEP , 2016 ). One of the key strategic priorities across the region , as defined by the Solent Local Area Partnership ( Solent LEP ), is ‘ Skills for Growth ’ - that is increasing levels of education amongst the local work force in order to drive forward economic growth . Solent LEP states ‘ We want Solent to be defined by aspiration and achievement , both of which are critical to our economic success both now and in the future ’. In terms of economic success , the LEP identifies four key sectoral clusters upon which the area can build , namely advanced manufacturing and marine , visitor economy ( both in relation to marine and rural locations ), transport and logistics and the low carbon economy .
Local councils across the Solent area have also identified skills and education as strategic priorities , for example Portsmouth City Council have made it a priority to encourage young residents to pursue educational opportunities in order address unemployment rates and enhance the local community ( Portsmouth City Council , 2012 , p . 8 ):