Celebrating a year of impact with IntoUniversity

Earlier this year we celebrated over ten years of support provided by IntoUniversity’s local learning centre in Blackbird Leys. Since opening in 2014, IntoUniversity Oxford South East – co-funded by Christ Church and the University of Oxford – has supported more than 5,800 young people through academic support, mentoring, aspiration-raising workshops and university visits, with 53% progressing to higher education, far exceeding the local average of 20%.

This local impact sits within a much wider national picture. Across all IntoUniversity centres partnered with a Higher Education partner this year, the charity worked with 429 schools, supported 6,184 students, delivered over 636,000 contact hours, and facilitated 561 university trips. University partners, including Christ Church, contributed to 1,223 student volunteers and 5,516 mentoring meetings, helping broaden horizons and raise aspirations for young people across the country.

At Oxford, Christ Church continues to play an active role by hosting visits to College, where pupils explore university life and take part in immersive activities – including mock ‘degree ceremonies’ that spark excitement about higher education.

Reflecting in April on this ongoing partnership, the Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot, Dean of Christ Church, emphasised Christ Church’s commitment to supporting IntoUniversity’s mission of nurturing potential in the local community: ‘Christ Church is proud to continue to play a lead role in supporting IntoUniversity Oxford South East, a centre tackling educational disadvantage in our local community.’

As IntoUniversity celebrates another year of nationwide achievement, Christ Church is delighted to contribute to this collective effort to empower young people, expand opportunity and inspire confidence in their futures.