† If students do not meet the prior attainment outlined in step 1 or at least two of the criteria outlined in step 2, but have experienced a period
of disrupted education, their application may still be considered on an individual basis (except in extreme circumstances, disruption caused
by the Coronavirus pandemic will not be considered). Disruptions considered include, but are not limited to, students who:
- are estranged/living independently from their families.
- are experiencing/have experienced significant family issues
- have a disability
- have a health condition
- are from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller communities
- are Refugees
- are the children of military families
Extreme circumstances linked to Coronavirus which would be considered are:
- The student has experienced serious illness and spent a prolonged period in hospital as a result of Coronavirus
- The student has had significant caring responsibilities as a result of Coronavirus (e.g. caring for someone extremely clinically vulnerable/shielding)
- The student has suffered a close family bereavement due to Coronavirus
- Coronavirus has created or exacerbated a very difficult or dangerous living situation
‡ A neighbourhood with low progression rates to higher education is defined by home postcodes which are in POLAR4 quintile 1 and 2. More information
on the POLAR classification can be found at https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/polar-participation-of-local-areas/.
An area which has a high level of financial, social or economic deprivation is defined by home postcodes which are in the 30% most deprived
wards within the Index of Mass Deprivation (IMD). For more information on IMD please see https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2015
§ National averages used are based on all schools in England:
Key Stage 4:
- 5+ 9-4/A*-C or equivalents including 9-4 in both English and Mathematics – 64.6%
- Attainment 8 score per school – 46.7%
Key Stage 5:
- Average point score per A level entry – 33.09%
- Average point score per academic entry – 33.25%
- Average point score per applied general entry – 29.70%
- Average point score per tech level entry – 32.32%
- Free school meals: 15.9%
¥ Those defined as living in, or who have lived in, local authority care are those who are being looked after by their local authority,
either living with foster parents/other family members such as grandparents, at home with their parents under the supervision of social services,
in a residential children’s home or in another residential setting such as school or secure unit, or someone who has experienced a period of
three months in the care of the local authority within the last ten years.
Those defined as young carers are those who under the age of 18 who help look after someone in their family, or a friend. There
is no time limit on the amount of care they provide for their dependents, this is just above and beyond what is normally expected.
ⱽ Those defined as asylum seekers are classed as international students and are therefore required to pay international fees for undergraduate/postgraduate
courses at UK higher education providers. Asylum seekers are also not eligible for Student Finance. However, asylum seekers are able to apply
for a Sanctuary Scholarship which, if eligible, may offer support towards the costs of higher education. Realising Opportunities would therefore
welcome application enquiries from students who are eligible to apply for Sanctuary Scholarships. To make an enquiry about applying to Realising
Opportunities, asylum seekers are required to have a discussion with the RO Central Team
before submitting a Realising Opportunities application
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