17 December 2008

Council supports pupils to attend university

Angus Council is working in partnership with the University of Dundee to ensure that no young person is held back from reaching university by financial or social factors.

The council and the university have signed an agreement to enable 15 young people from the county to attend an Access Summer School as one way of entering higher education.

The agreement will run until 2012, with the council providing financial backing to young people to support them during the ten weeks of the course.

Angus Council has been working with the university to offer places at the summer school for a number of years, with many of those attending going on to successfully complete university degrees.

Angus Education convener Peter Nield said: 'Our support for the summer schools is part of our commitment to education and to social inclusion.'

'I am really delighted that the council has pledged its support to the summer school for a further four years, and is continuing to offer pupils whose circumstances have prevented them gaining entry qualifications to university a second chance.'

'I urge schools to use these places to the maximum, as this will enable more Angus pupils to enter the University of Dundee. I have seen first hand just what an unbelievable opportunity this is for young people who had thought their dreams were shattered. The school’s director Dr John Blicharski and his team do a wonderful job in introducing young people to academia and student life.'

Contact:
Jenni Amos
Angus Council
Public Relations
(01307) 476117

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk