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Teachers and schools

LSE's Widening Participation team delivers activities for school, sixth form and college students from under-represented groups across the UK.

We have a range of free online and in-person Widening Participation programmes, events and activities to inform, inspire and support students from across the UK - specifically aimed at those from under-represented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Some programmes span several months and feature multiple engagements, and some are one-day events.

Taking part in Widening Participation activities

For most LSE Widening Participation programmes, individual students will need to submit their own application to take part. On each programme webpage you will find information about eligibility criteria and the application process.

Many of our Widening Participation programmes are over-subscribed and have a limited number of places available. We will prioritise eligible students based on the individual widening participation criteria they meet.

For students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for our Widening Participation programmes, there are plenty of other opportunities to visit, meet and explore LSE.

View our Widening Participation activities

Who do we work with?

Each of our Widening Participation programmes and events have their own priority groups and criteria, which you can find on the individual activity pages.

Broadly, we seek to prioritise students who:

  • have always attended a UK state school or college (non-fee paying)
  • are care-experienced. LSE defines care-experienced as those who have been in the care of the local authority, with foster carers, in a residential children's home, under a supervision order while 'looked after at home', or living with friends or relatives in kinship care
  • who live in an area of low Higher Education participation. We use TUNDRA MSOA area-based measure to assess this, by looking at the quintile of your home postcode - with quintile 1 or 2 indicating that you live in an area with low participation.
  • who have ever been eligible for Free School Meals during their secondary education.

Each activity may have additional academic, location or other requirements. Many of our activities are oversubscribed, so a place cannot be guaranteed if students meet the criteria above.

Supporting your students

Engaging with schools and colleges

We have a number of existing school partnerships, and are unable to consider further partnerships at present.

LSE's Student Recruitment and Study Abroad team visit schools across the UK and abroad, run Open Days and attend UCAS Fairs and other events where you can find out more about studying at LSE. You can also find information on school visits to LSE, or request for LSE to visit your school.

Professional development for teachers and school staff

We're proud to be a member of Advancing Access, a partnership between the 24 Russell Group universities to provide free resources, professional development opportunities and events for teachers and advisors in schools and colleges across the UK.

You can explore the range of CPD resources available, request a live session or take part in an Advancing Access event.

Supporting effective school governance

LSE's School Governor Scheme supports LSE students, staff and alumni to become school governance volunteers and to share their skills, knowledge and experience to benefit their local community. You can register your school governance vacancies with our charity partner, Governors for Schools.