- SFC figures reveal that the GSA has one of the highest percentages of SIMD students in Scotland
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| Speculative design for a music centre and performance venue for Sistema Scotland in Balloch by Stage 3 Architecture student Abby Hopes. Abby, who was supported into Art School by the GSA Widening Participation team, has just been shortlisted for the 2021 National Women in Architecture Award |
The success of The Glasgow School of Art’s commitment to Widening Participation has been given recognition in the Scottish Funding Council’s Report on Widening Access 2019-20 (published 29 June 2021).
This most recent SFC report presents data relating to the Commission on Widening Access targets and on Scottish-Domiciled entrants to higher and further education in Scotland, tracking 19 HE institutions over 7 academic years from 2013-14. In the latest figures (2019-20) the GSA has seen its number of Scottish-Domiciled students from SIMD 20 areas break through the 20% figure (rising from 14.7% in 2013-14) and, at 21.1%, is the third highest among Scotland’s Higher Education institutions (behind the University of the West of Scotland and Glasgow Caledonian University). Student retention also remains very high with 95% of SIMD20 students progressing from y1 to y2 (second only to St Andrews University). This compares to a sector average of 84%.
“The GSA’s Widening Access team has been working tirelessly with schools and individuals to make sure that everyone can have the opportunity to fulfil their creative potential,” says Professor Penny Macbeth, Director of The Glasgow School of Art
“Through the work undertaken with 90 partner schools across the west of Scotland to Portfolio Preparation classes, Open Studio programmes and our partnership with Castlehead High School in Paisley we offer many different opportunities for people to progress into creative subjects in higher education.
“As the most recent figures released by the SFC show, this commitment has had a tangible impact in terms of our own student numbers. By the 2019-20 academic year over 20% of our Scottish-Domiciled students were from SIMD 20 areas, one of the highest percentages in Scotland.
“The work of our Widening Access team does not stop when the students arrive, but they continue to offer help and support, a commitment that is reflected in our high retention rates with over 95% of SIMD20 students progressing from year one into year two.”
“Along with the rest of the sector we will continue to work hard to make sure everyone can have an equal opportunity to access university education regardless of their background.”
The full SFC report can be found here:
http://www.sfc.ac.uk/publications-statistics/statistical-publications/2021/SFCST052021.aspx
For further information on the GSA’s Widening Access programmes visit:
https://www.gsa.ac.uk/about-gsa/key-information/our-structure/widening-participation/
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For further information contact
Lesley Booth
07799414474
@GSofAMedia