Closing the attainment gap in Higher Education (HE) is a complex, multifaceted challenge that requires innovative, targeted, and inclusive strategies. The attainment gap can be defined as the disparity in academic performance between different groups of students. It’s influenced by a variety of factors, including socioeconomic background, race, and prior educational opportunities. As institutions strive to provide equitable educational experiences, addressing these disparities is crucial not only for individual student success but also for fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment. To find out about the causes of the attainment gap in more detail, see our recent article here.

Throughout our series The Interview, we’ve gathered insights from HE professionals who are at the forefront of implementing effective strategies to reduce the attainment gap. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Implement Academic Coaches

To address the diverse needs of students, providing additional, focused support can be a game-changer. Those in such support roles should be able to offer personalised support, focusing solely on student development without the distractions of other academic responsibilities. Gillian Knight, Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Leadership and Student Experience at the University of Wolverhampton, spoke to us about her team’s experience here:

We've installed academic coaches across the curriculum, trained to connect with students – to find out what they want academically and from a pastoral perspective. Unlike a personal tutor, who may need to balance teaching with tutoring, these coaches are dedicated to just supporting our students, meaning they have more time to treat each student as an individual, working with them to build their confidence and offer them actionable solutions to any issues. That's significantly impacted attainment gaps where students are engaging with it.

Learn more from Gillain’s experience and expertise in her full feature here. 

2. Understand Your Student Demographic

In order to begin the process of reducing the attainment gap in your institution, it’s first vital that you understand who your students are, and how that might affect their attainment during their time at university. During her interview with GoodCourse, Rebecca Huxley-Binns, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Hull, explained the importance of institutions taking more responsibility for the awarding statistics within their institutions, beginning with terminology:

We now call it the 'awarding gap' rather than the 'attainment gap'. That’s because the award is something given by the university, whereas attainment is something achieved by the students – so we have an institutional responsibility to help students reach their potential. It’s intrinsically linked to the issue of community and belonging. 

Huxley-Binns then goes on to explain the importance of understanding the student demographics within your institution:

It's fundamental that universities understand their student demographics and understand that each university is unique. You also need to look at how you are carrying out your assessments, because after the pandemic, the assessment history of our incoming students is very different from what it was before.

Learn more from Rebecca's experience and expertise in her full feature here.

3. Enhance Data Analysis with Intersectionality

To effectively address the attainment gap, it's crucial to analyse data with an intersectional lens. This approach helps identify the unique challenges faced by different student groups, allowing for more targeted interventions. When we sat down with Cassie Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Experience at the University of Bath, she explained her team’s approach to this:

We’re improving our data to look at intersectionality, with intervention then targeted based on that. We’re also going through a curriculum transformation across all subjects – redesigning our assessments to be more inclusive – which is having a positive impact on our attainment gap.

Learn more from Cassie's experience and expertise in her full feature here.

4. Encourage the Student Voice

Listening to students' experiences and feedback can provide invaluable insights that data alone may not reveal. Creating platforms for student voices ensures that their concerns are heard and addressed promptly. During his GoodCourse interview,  Ian Munton, Director of Student Services at Aberystwyth University explained:

We ensure that we’re not just deriving issues from data because we need to understand the real-world narratives behind those issues. In line with that aim, we give our students ample opportunities to provide us with their opinions on issues and initiatives, mainly through Your Voice Matters, a platform they can use to come forward and talk about their experiences, and we commit to replying within two days. On an annual basis, they get to see the developments we’ve made, developments that they’ve had a hand in bringing about, to tackle challenges like the attainment gap.

Learn more from Ian's experience and expertise in his full feature here.

5. Develop a Robust EDI Core Plan

Creating a comprehensive Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan can help uncover and address hidden barriers that marginalise certain student groups, fostering a more inclusive academic environment. Veronica Moore, Head of Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity and EDI Director at Loughborough University, gave insight into her own team’s approach to this:

We are working on a new EDI core plan, which we hope to implement by the next academic year. We want to find those hidden barriers which discriminate against marginalised students so we can establish a more supportive and inclusive environment. We’re also forming an anti-racism partnership with the Race Equality Center in Leicester — they are experts in supporting BAME students and are helping us improve our policies and practices.

Learn more from Veronica’s experience and expertise in her full feature here.

6. Create Inclusive Work Placement Environments

Work placements are integral to student development, but they can present challenges related to inclusivity. Working closely with employers to ensure inclusive environments can significantly enhance students' experiences and outcomes. When we sat down with Professor Annabel Kiernan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) at Staffordshire University, she highlighted how her organisation does this:

We understand that interventions need to be very specific if they are going to be embedded and understood. Many of our students go out on placements to companies and public sector organisations, but many of them can have a challenging experience when it comes to inclusion. So we’ve done a lot of work with employers about how to create an inclusive environment. I’m very fortunate to have colleagues who are doing some excellent work on attainment gaps, and that can help to improve things for the whole sector.

Learn more from Annabel's experience and expertise in her full feature here.

Conclusion

Addressing the attainment gap in Higher Education is a challenge that requires a combination of innovative approaches and a commitment to inclusivity. By looking at what causes attainment gaps and taking innovative approaches to providing students with the support they need, institutions can make significant strides in closing this gap. The strategies shared in this article, by experts across various universities, highlight the importance of tailored interventions and continuous improvement to support all students in reaching their full potential.

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