According to a new report, Barking and Dagenham has experienced the highest increase in young people from the borough attending higher education over the last decade.
In the Higher Education Journey of Young London Residents’ report from London councils, it was revealed that the borough has seen a 65 per cent increase in young participation in higher education, increasing from 1,030 in 2007/08 to 1,700 in 2016/17.
To put it into perspective the closest borough to Barking and Dagenham was Ealing with a rise of 29 per cent.
In the ten year period, the largest increase has been in students attending school sixth forms and sixth form colleges which have seen an increase of 130 per cent and 135 per cent
It is believed that one of the main reasons behind the increase Is the borough’s schools being actively supported to promote and engage with higher education through the Aim Higher programme.
The programme organises a range of events and activities with higher education institutions for young people who wish to progress to higher education. The programme was previously funded nationally but now Barking and Dagenham is the only London borough with the programme.
Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement said: “This is very good news and shows that all of the hard work that has been done by the council, schools, students and parents has paid off.”
“This is yet more evidence that Barking and Dagenham is a great place for young people to get an education that helps them achieve their aspirations.”
