The Access Project: evaluation support

Project Icon Project Status
Completed
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Summary & aims

The Access Project (TAP) offers a two-strand programme that provides support and guidance to enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress to Russell Group and other high-ranking universities. The project matches volunteer tutors from participating companies with motivated students from disadvantaged areas for one-to-one tutorials. These weekly academic sessions are aimed at helping students to achieve better grades and progress to top universities. The second strand of the project consists of multi-faceted University Application support and guidance, enabling students to make informed choices and successful applications to top universities.

Methodology

Methods

NIESR’s role in this project is to strengthen and build up TAP’s evaluation processes and capacity to evaluate its own impact and effectiveness. We are doing this through a review of evidence and methodologies, alongside an assessment of TAP’s current data collection and analyses.

The output from the project will be a detailed guide for TAP on evaluation design, implementation and analysis.

Timescale

NIESR began work on the project in October 2014 and will produce a final report for TAP in January 2015.

Funder

The Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund (NESTA)

Findings and Recommendations

“Evaluating impact in the social sector: a practical perspective” blog by Lucy Stokes, Jake Anders and Tamara Baleanu

Researchers

Lucy Stokes
Principal Economist