Jesus College, University of Oxford, uses its Think Big Project to provide critical thinking support, confidence-building activities and all-expenses paid university visits for young pupils in Lambeth.
Starting out in higher education can feel really daunting, especially for those who are made to feel like places at Oxford aren't made for them.
Across the UK, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are still less likely than their more privileged counterparts to progress to higher education and enrol in selective universities.
This is a particular challenge in Lambeth, which has the lowest GCSE attainment rate within our area of benefit (inner London) and in which only 5% of Free School Meal pupils enter into High Tariff institutions.
To help change this, we awarded Jesus College £30,200 in 2024 over three years to fund the Think Big Project. The programme focuses on Key Stage 3 pupils in Lambeth and gives priority to students eligible for free school meals or those with experience in the care system.
The project works to boost participants’ confidence in their academic abilities, demystify higher education, and the University of Oxford itself, and show these young people that attending a top university is possible.
We recently took a trip to Oxford to catch up with the leaders of the project and learn about the impact it’s had over the past few years. We spoke with Dr Matt Williams, Access Fellow and Tutor in Politics, who shared some insights into the journey for the children taking part.
At around year 7 and 8, as children start to mature, they often lose the curiosity that younger children naturally have – asking questions like ‘why is the sky blue?’. At this point, that sense of curiosity often gets overtaken by a desire to find the right answer as quickly as possible and a fear of looking silly.
Deep curiosity is an important thinking skill, and it can be nurtured and rekindled at that turning point stage if given a safe space to do so.
Matt shared some of the brilliant questions that children came up with once they felt encouraged to think deeply such as ‘what exists at the end of the universe?’ or ‘how old really are we if our cells regenerate every seven years?’.
A key focus of the sessions is to nurture this perceptiveness and raise their sense of self-efficacy, helping young people realise the positive impact of being genuinely curious.
Over three years, the project aims to have worked with 120 KS3 pupils in Lambeth. The programme is delivered through online and in-person sessions that are focused on cognitive development.
A key part of the project is getting students to visit the university campus itself. Participants are hosted at Jesus College on an all-expenses paid day trip.
By experiencing the space in person and interacting with the staff and student ambassadors from similar backgrounds, the children are made to feel safe and comfortable in an environment that might otherwise feel intimidating.
It was a brilliant way to expand our students’ thinking, encourage them to ask more questions and build upon their cultural capital with a fantastic trip to Oxford.
Year 7 teacher
Lilian Baylis School
We’re really proud to support The Think Big Project in encouraging young people’s confidence and curiosity, empowering them to feel ambitious about their future.
The project is funded through Stepping Up. This funding theme supports initiatives in arts, sports, environmental, educational, faith, or community settings that help young people move beyond their usual experiences, promoting individual growth, well-being, and social responsibility.
Want to apply for a Portal Trust grant? Read our full criteria on our Funding page.