Working with schools in deprived areas to raise aspirations for medicine and other healthcare science careers

Abstract

Educational attainment is inversely related to socio-economic status. The achievement gap widens as children progress through the system. Take up of science options is particularly poor and difficulties are compounded by lack of relevant science-based work experience in deprived areas. The interaction of these factors is examined in some detail in an area of socio-economic deprivation. High attainment in sciences is usually considered a core requirement for acceptance into medicine and widening access to medicine for school leavers is therefore very difficult in these circumstances. A partnership between hospitals and local schools, including science-based work placements, is described. Cooperation between the NHS and schools by provision of work experience and teaching materials could help to address these issues as well as potential staffing difficulties in other healthcare science careers in the future. Expenditure can be justified on the grounds of known links between health, education and employment.