Landmark partnership launches pioneering programme to tackle educational inequality in the South West

A powerful coalition of leading universities, schools, and charities today announces the launch of Your Future Story – a pioneering initiative designed to support high-attaining young people from under-resourced backgrounds across the South West to access top universities.

Led by the Colyton Foundation, and supported by the University of Bristol, Downing College, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter and the Sutton Trust, Your Future Story, is designed to tackle the entrenched inequalities that have seen the South West report the lowest higher education progression rates in England.

Starting this September, the programme will work with an initial cohort of 100 Year 7 pupils from schools across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The ambition of the partnership is for a new cohort to join each year, with the goal of building a regional network of 1,000 students over the next decade. The programme is also backed by a growing alliance of schools and regional multi-academy trusts, including the Ted Wragg Trust, Education South West (ESW), Blackdown Education Partnership (BEP), and Truro & Penwith Academy Trust and supported by the South West Institute of Teaching and Leading Schools South West.

At its heart, Your Future Story offers a cohort-based model. By bringing together pupils from isolated rural and coastal communities, the programme fosters a shared identity, mutual support, and belief in their potential to thrive. Participants benefit from regular personal development workshops, university campus visits, employer visits, and sustained mentoring through trained Teacher Champions and Senior Leaders based in each partner school. These staff play a crucial role in monitoring academic progress, providing one-to-one support, and embedding high expectations for university progression throughout the school environment.

Your Future Story draws strength from its uniquely collaborative model. Each partner brings deep, sector-specific expertise: from the pedagogical and attainment knowledge of schools and multi-academy trusts, to the university partners’ understanding of progression pathways and access, to the Sutton Trust’s national leadership in social mobility. The Colyton Foundation contributes its specialist expertise in supporting high-attaining students, drawn from decades of success at Colyton Grammar School and its work with schools across the region. This combination enables a comprehensive, joined-up response to the complex barriers facing high-attaining students from under-resourced backgrounds.

“We are proud to come together as universities, schools, trusts, and charities to say that where a child comes from should not determine where they are going,” said Nick Wakeling, Director of the Colyton Foundation. “Your Future Story represents a shared commitment to a South West where background is no barrier to higher education. We are excited to begin work with our partner schools, teachers, and above all the young people who will make up our pathfinder cohort from September.”

The Colyton Foundation is a charity established by staff and trustees of Colyton Grammar School to raise high attainment and increase access to competitive higher education for under-resourced children. The Foundation combines direct support for young people with professional development for teachers and school leaders, fostering systemic change across the South West.

Nicola Sinclair, Head of Access, Participation and Outreach at the University of Exeter said: “We are delighted to welcome this partnership, which aligns closely with the University of Exeter’s commitment to fostering opportunity and working collaboratively to support social mobility within our region. Enabling students from all backgrounds to access and thrive in higher education is at the heart of our mission and through initiatives like Your Future Story, we hope we can make a positive impact in helping young people realise their potential.”