Solent shares new plan to boost social mobility

Approved by the Office for Students (OfS), Solent’s new Access and Participation Plan outlines the meaningful approach the University will take to promote equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups.

Specifically, this plan will drive the University’s work in ensuring effective pathways into higher education for Asian, Black, Mixed and Other students, as well as learners from communities highlighted by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Director of Student Success at Southampton Solent University, Tania Struetzel, says:

“The development of our new plan was a collaborative effort, involving students, Solent Students’ Union, and staff. We look forward to implementing our interventions over the coming years, taking a holistic approach to how we support these communities.”

Solent’s latest plan will see the University take a holistic student lifecycle approach to increasing accessibility to higher education, starting from before a learner has even arrived on campus and following them through to graduation. As part of this new plan, Solent is expanding its collaboration with Grit, a charity which provides impactful interventions for young people navigating life’s challenges.

Building on an existing initiative which equips students with the tools they need to become future leaders, Solent and Grit will deliver a bespoke support programme for students all the way from pre-entry to their final year. This innovative collaboration – which is the first of its kind in the sector – will also lead to the development of a supportive peer community of students supported in this way. Grit CEO, Ellie Garraway, says:

“Here at Grit, we’re always interested in developing partnerships that consider the long-term shift in culture and approach that sit at the heart of effective engagement, so it’s a real joy to be part of a sustainable programme of interventions with Southampton Solent University designed to do just this.

Looking at and designing processes, systems and interventions to support students who have the odds stacked against them from pre-entry, through transition, to successful participation and beyond is such an exciting prospect and we’re really looking forward to developing, delivering and learning alongside Solent throughout this journey.”

Read Southampton Solent University’s Access and Participation Plan for 2025/26-2028/29 at www.solent.ac.uk/about/our-policies-and-legal-information/university-access-agreements.