Widening Participation, Aimhigher and the Coalition Government: Narratives of Freedom and Efficiency

Abstract

This article responds to the decision of the United Kingdom's coalition government to abolish Aimhigher, a programme for widening higher education participation among disadvantaged young people in England. It examines recent research into widening participation and shows how the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students has narrowed slowly but significantly over the past decade. Aimhigher's role is explored, and the strengths of its partnership approach considered. Drawing on the notion of assemblage, the article then compares the values that underpin the narrative of Aimhigher with those embedded in the coalition government's proposals for widening participation. The article concludes that the gains made over the past decade will be reversed and that social class divisions in university study will become further entrenched.