The Cambridge Consortium of Schools

Cambridge HE+ is a collaborative project between the University of Cambridge and its Colleges, working together with groups of state schools and colleges in 20 regions of the UK. Saint Augustine’s is part of the Worcestershire Hub of schools who participate in the programme.

The HE+ programme is a year-long programme of activities including academic extension classes and lectures, subject masterclasses, information and guidance sessions, and a visit to the University. The overall goal of the project is to encourage and prepare students to make competitive applications to top universities, including the University of Cambridge. Taking part in the project gives students many opportunities to develop their academic skills, understanding, and confidence, whilst also receiving advice and guidance about applying to higher education. In 2018 the University of Cambridge commissioned a UCAS STROBE report into the rates of participation in selective universities among HE+ participants.  The research found that outcomes for trackable participants were ‘very significantly high’ compared to the control group, both for application and acceptance rates to high-tariff institutions and Russell Group universities.  These results suggest that HE+ has a substantial positive impact upon participants’ likelihood of applying to selective HE and of being successful in doing so.  For further details, see below.