The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT

24 February 2011

Dear Michael,

The Abolition of the Aimhigher Funding Scheme

I am writing to you to express my opposition to the decision to abolish the Aimhigher funding scheme, and urge you to reconsider. Higher education entrants for the year 2011-2012 are already facing significant changes to levels of fees and the financial support available. Coupled with the termination of the Aimhigher funding scheme, there is a real risk of perpetuating inequality for this generation of young people.

Aimhigher has provided significant benefits nationally in providing access to higher and further education, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, with the funding and support from Aimhigher, 29 schools, 11 colleges and 4 universities across Sussex have been successful in increasing the number, and proportion, of pupils and students from poorer backgrounds applying for a place in higher education. From 2003-2009 UCAS applications in Sussex grew 39% in target schools and colleges, compared to 26% in non-targeted schools and colleges.

Whilst I appreciate that the National Scholarship Fund aims to support students from poorer backgrounds, I understand this will only be available to those who have already been accepted into university. Consequently, I am concerned about the future provision of funding and support available to pre-16 pupils, for whom Aimhigher has played a significant role in the delivery of outreach programmes to help them reach university.

Alternative funding and support mechanisms are uncertain, and this is a worry for me and a number of my constituents, especially as in 2009/10 it was recorded that 92% of pupils in Sussex had no parental experience of higher education.

In response to these concerns, I have signed EDM 1008 in support of Aimhigher. However, I am now seeking assurances that the Government will give greater consideration to the impact of its planned changes on pre-16 learners, and reconsider the decision to abolish Aimhigher funding, especially for 2011-12.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion