Stars Align For Wales’ Brightest Students

Wales’ brightest students are able to get the inside track on gaining entry to some of the world’s best universities thanks to the Welsh Government’s Seren Network. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Seren is a network of regional hubs designed to support Wales’ brightest sixth formers achieve their academic potential and gain access to leading universities. Its aim is to increase representation at the Russell Group and Sutton Trust 30 group of universities. These represent the most selective research-led universities in the UK. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The final hub, in the Vale of Glamorgan, is to be launched today (16th November) by the Minister for Lifelong Learning and the Welsh Language at an event at the Vale Hotel. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Over 2000 students have been selected to be part of one of 11 regional hubs and are able to benefit from: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• first hand access to leading universities talks, seminars and workshops delivered by lecturers, students and admissions experts
• the chance to work beyond the A level curriculum
• subject support from local teachers in their area
• a peer group of other students
• the latest information and advice about university applications.

Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, Alun Davies, said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Seren Network has been established to help more Welsh students gain access to the UK’s leading universities, where they are currently under-represented compared to the rest of the UK. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We know that Welsh applicants to Oxford and Cambridge receive disproportionately fewer offers compared to other UK applicants, despite achieving similar GCSE and A level grades. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“These students are our experts and future leaders so it’s vital we develop a learning environment where they can really prosper. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s fantastic to see so many leading universities are already engaged with Seren and are supporting delivery of the regional programmes. We are very grateful to them for their ongoing support.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Seren provides information, advice and guidance to students at a time when they have to make big decisions about their future. The network is there to reduce anxiety about the university application process and ensure Wales’ brightest students are being given the support needed to achieve their full potential. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​