An introduction to the National Schools Programme Review

Photos: Edinburgh College, University of Glasgow, UHI Perth and University of Aberdeen

The National Schools Programme (NSP) is a widening access initiative in Scotland aimed at supporting senior phase pupils (S4-S6) from backgrounds of socioeconomic disadvantage and underrepresented groups to access higher education at university.   

The NSP was established in 2021-22 by amalgamating a number of existing successful widening access programmes in Scotland and works closely with experts across universities, colleges, and schools to deliver a cohesive national approach based around four key pillars: 

1. Impartial advice and guidance. 
2. An experiential visit to a Higher Education Institution.    
3. Skills development and bridging programmes to prepare pupils for success. 
4. Specialist support for students interested in high demand professions.   

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provides approximately £4 million to deliver NSP activities to over 50,000 pupils each year in almost all of Scotland’s local authority funded secondary schools.   

The NSP review  

SFC’s review of the NSP was undertaken to assess how effectively the programme is meeting the original goals set out in the 2021 SFC Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability and to make recommendations to support its future development.   

The review was undertaken by a group of SFC staff and was overseen by a Steering Committee of students, school, college, and university staff who provided advice and guidance throughout the review. The Steering Committee was co-chaired by Mhairi Harrington OBE (SFC Skills, Enhancement, Access and Learning Committee Chair, SFC Board Member) and Erica Russell-Hensens (Deputy Director, Student Interests, Access and Quality, SFC). Engagement with stakeholders of the NSP was critical to the review and informed its findings.  

Key findings of the NSP review  

The NSP has made significant strides in increasing access to higher education for students from the most disadvantaged areas in Scotland. It has successfully engaged with schools and pupils and has improved progression rates into higher education.  

The review found that the NSP is highly valued across Scotland and is a key contributor to the sector’s approach to responding to the Scottish Government’s target that by 2030, entrants from the 20% most disadvantaged areas would make up 20% of full-time entrants to undergraduate degree programmes.   

However, the review also identified several areas for improvement, including the need for more robust data collection and access to data, developing core eligibility criteria and a baseline offer and improved funding models. The review underscores the importance of maintaining a national approach while ensuring regional flexibility in the delivery of the programme and recommends enhancing coordination among delivery partners, ensuring that the programme is more adaptable to the changing needs of the sector.  

The final recommendations outline a path forward for the NSP, with a stronger emphasis on demonstrating its impact and strategic alignment with Scotland’s broader educational goals. To implement the recommendations, a strategic advisory group will be established in Spring 2025 with short-life collaborative taskforce group(s) established by Summer 2025, which will explore and implement approaches to address core areas for development.  

More information about the partners that deliver the work of the NSP can be found on the SFC’s webpages National Schools Programme – Scottish Funding Council  

The NSP review final report and recommendations can be found on SFC’s webpages National Schools Programme Review – Scottish Funding Council  

Mary Macgowan, Policy Officer, SFC and Steph Kirkham, Senior Policy Officer, SFC 

Tuesday 22 April 2025