Anglia uncovers education divide

A deep divide between neighbourhoods where very few young people go into higher education and more privileged areas was revealed this week.

Researchers at Anglia Polytechnic University have identified 34 local neighbourhoods that send hardly any young people to university and two that send more than would be expected.

Just 200 of the 8,310 youngsters in Forest Heath, west Suffolk, went into higher education - less than half the national average. Other, more affluent, rural areas sent more than the national average.

Chris Green, director of APU's regional office, said: "There were a lot of 'cold spots' - coastal areas with lots of bed-and-breakfast accommodation, and there was a garrison effect - with low participation in areas with air bases."

"Forest Heath has an air base. The schools tell us that American airmen provide a role model for children in terms of employment and lifestyle. But the American children don't attend school locally," Dr Green said.

The researchers also identified cold spots in towns with universities, such as Norwich, and Colchester. "Colchester's participation rate is 2.7 per cent, against a national average of 5.35 per cent and a regional average of 4.18 per cent. Norwich is third worst, with 3.11 per cent. I would imagine it's to do with the fact that the university admissions policy has been dominated by international and national recruitment," Dr Green said.

The researchers will give evidence to the Commons select committee on education next week, as part of its inquiry into higher education.

The patchy nature of university recruitment will be further highlighted next month in a study by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Ucas runs a forecasting and planning service that maps the postcode of applicants to each institution.