The University of Worcester has won a national award for its efforts to drive social mobility through educational opportunities for children.
The Hive - credit David James
It triumphed in the Levelling Up Universities Awards 2022, winning the award for Strong Foundations in Early Years - the Levelling Up Goal 1. The Awards, run by the Purpose Coalition, recognise those higher education institutions and their staff that are committed to boosting opportunity, improving social mobility and being truly purpose-led.
The awards ceremony cited how the University had given young children the opportunity to participate in events and provided study opportunities at The Hive - Britain’s first fully integrated university and public library run by the University and Worcestershire County Council. It also cited the University’s long-running Storytelling Festival for Children on campus that brings together local schoolchildren with authors, poets and storytellers for inspirational workshops.
The virtual ceremony was hosted by former Cabinet Minister, the Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, who co-founded the Social Mobility Pledge to bring organisations together to improve social mobility. She has since launched the Levelling Up Goals, goals which provide a framework to focus efforts on driving equality of opportunity at key life stages, from early years through to careers. These 14 goals formed the basis for the Awards categories.
This comes just days after Ms Greening formally launched the University of Worcester’s new Levelling Up report during a special visit to the City. This sets out how the University is working in partnership to provide opportunities and increase social mobility.
The University is a member of the Levelling Up Universities Coalition. This is part of the wider Purpose Coalition, which brings together a host of organisations committed to driving social mobility including businesses, NHS authorities, councils and universities. The Levelling Up Goals are the first major piece of work from the Purpose Coalition.
Ms Greening said: “The higher education institutions recognised in the Levelling Up Universities Awards 2022 are spreading opportunity to people and places where it can make the biggest difference and breaking the cycle of Britain's endemic poor social mobility.
“With the current debate around policy changes in higher education, now is a perfect time to celebrate the work of our universities in providing those crucial opportunities to both learn and develop for young people of all backgrounds. It is important we also celebrate universities as anchor institutions and employers in the communities, regions and wider country they serve.
“I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all our winners and thank them for leading the way on levelling up.”
Professor David Green CBE, DL Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, which is one of the UK’s top universities for inclusion and social mobility, said: “For many years, we have been committed to driving forward inclusion and equal opportunities for all to learn and succeed to the best of their ability, whether in the student or wider public setting. This is exemplified in The Hive, which is 10 years old this month and is a testament to the value of inclusion and learning opportunities for all. We are proud to see the University’s efforts leading the way in this area being recognised, particularly our work inspiring young people with a love of learning.”
When Times Higher Education (THE) first reported on University Impact in 2019, it found that the University of Worcester was number one in the UK and number four in the world for Gender Equality. Worcester has been the top University in the UK for fair gender pay for all 5 years since the UK Gender Pay Gap reporting was launched.