By Gavin Mackintosh-
Hundreds of state school A-level students will be given additional tuition by University of Cambridge academics as part of a pilot scheme to mitigate educational disruption caused by the pandemic.
The 17 month programme which will cover an estimated 750 maths, physics and chemistry students, will include online tutorials, small group supervisions, mentoring, and a residential stay at a Cambridge college.
As from January, students will be supported through the ‘STEM SMART’ scheme from the second term of Year 12 to their Year 13 A-level exams in a bid to help bridge attainment gaps caused by Covid-19.
The pilot programme also aims to build confidence in disadvantaged students, and encourage them to apply to study engineering or physical sciences at leading universities, including Cambridge.
As well as compensating for lost learning during the lockdown, it will also serve to enhance the confidence of students by exposing them to the Uks brightest minds before they get into university.
The move could encourage otheru universities to step forward and offer tuition to students studying other subjects too.
Professor Stephen Toope, vice-chancellor at Cambridge, said: “Covid continues to exacerbate existing inequalities in education, and many schools face an unprecedented challenge dealing with the legacy of the pandemic.
“As part of the university’s mission to contribute to society through the pursuit of learning, the STEM SMART programme will bolster the studies of A-level students at non-fee-paying schools, from their first year all the way through to their exams.
“This is support for those talented students who need it most, at a time when it is needed more than ever.