Stratford-based project wins national award

A Birkbeck Stratford-based project has won the Times Higher Education Widening Participation Initiative of the Year award. The scheme, a collaboration between Birkbeck's Faculty of Lifelong Learning and two Sure Start nurseries, aims to make part-time higher education available locally for parents from under-represented communities. The Editor of Times Higher Education, Ann Mroz, said of the scheme:  "Birkbeck's commitment to helping these mothers achieve their qualifications despite community resistance to women entering higher education is truly inspirational. The scheme has incredible potential, and I look forward to seeing how the project progresses in the coming years."

"We are delighted that the project has been recognised," says Elaine Hawkins, Birkbeck's academic co-ordinator. "It has provided learning opportunities for 30 mothers with young children who would otherwise not have been able to access formal learning. Attendance at classes has been exceptional despite students’ demanding family responsibilities." 

The women began their studies last year in St Stephen’s Children’s Centre, Upton Park, and in the Rebecca Cheetham Child Care Centre, Stratford. Three quarters are set to complete 60 credits towards their Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education Introductory Studies, and are keen to continue on to study degrees in Stratford. One student says: "The course helped me to re-start my education. I’m so happy Birkbeck provided a course like this." The project has attracted the interest of other Sure Start centres in east London and there are plans to extend the availability of courses to new areas.

Using a curriculum designed to meet students' goals, interests and previous learning, classes were taught by experienced sessional lecturers. The project is particularly distinctive in the amount of face-to-face learning for parents within the nursery environment, while their children are being cared for.