Press release

MillionPlus welcomes HEPI’s The Comprehensive University paper

20 Jul 2017

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (20 July) welcomed the HEPI Occasional Paper, The Comprehensive University: An Alternative to Social Stratification by Academic Selection, written by Middlesex University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Blackman.

Alan Palmer, Head of Policy and Research at MillionPlus, said:

“Professor Tim Blackman’s Occasional Paper for HEPI is timely and relevant. It is an important contribution to the debate on social mobility and, in particular, highlights the risk of progress stagnating.

“Modern Universities continue to do the heavy lifting when it comes to widening participation but the government remains too focused on ‘elite’ institutions as being the target of success. The government needs to start thinking differently about their vision of success in the 21st century, ensuring that opportunities for progression are embedded throughout the entire education system, including in our universities.

“MillionPlus believes that Professor Blackman’s proposals for comprehensive universities will help to kickstart the debate on how we can ensure that those without social advantage are able to succeed.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

  1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
  2. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 / 07527 336 795 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk
  3. Modern universities: key facts 2017
  4. The Comprehensive University: An Alternative to Social Stratification by Academic Selection is published on Thursday, 20 July and will be available here