Welcome back. The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16633, in the name of George Adam, on celebrating the University of the West of Scotland’s groundbreaking foundation academy. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members wishing to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament applauds the work of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and what it sees as the groundbreaking work that it is doing with the Foundation Academy, which is a 12-month programme helping pupils across S5 and S6 to develop academic skills, experience university-level study, and visit a university campus in order to boost their confidence in pursuing higher education and strengthen university applications; understands that the programme is the first of its kind in Scotland and has been recognised by various institutions as an alternative pathway to meeting the required qualifications to enter university; acknowledges how successful the academy has reportedly been for the thousands of pupils who have benefited from the additional support offered since the launch of the programme in 2022, and praises the time and effort of all those involved in the creation and running of the programme for the impact that this is having on pupils, including those in the Paisley constituency, who otherwise may not have been able to attend university.
13:00
The lengths that this—[Interruption.] Sorry?
Your microphone is on, but, a little like mine, it does not seem to be very loud.
It seems to be on now.
This place will go to some lengths to ensure that the people of Paisley do not have their voice heard in Scotland’s Parliament, but that is what I will ensure happens, after that wee test of the alarm system.
It is not often that I get to talk about much of the good work that happens in Paisley—okay, Presiding Officer, I admit that I do that at any opportunity. That is because, from the very beginning of my time as Paisley’s MSP, I have always wanted to talk about positive Paisley and to talk up all the good things that affect the good buddies of my home town.
We live in extremely challenging times—we hear that all the time in this place—but it has always been thus, and it is how we deal with that adversity and challenge that is the key.
As most members know, I have been a member of our various education committees, in their many guises, for most of my time in the Scottish Parliament. My reason for being on that committee is that I want to make a difference to the lives of young people in my town. Education is a key component in that, and I am lucky to represent a town that has a progressive, forward-thinking educational establishment that is trying to do just that, and to change young people’s lives.
The University of the West of Scotland has influenced the Scottish Parliament, as there are members, past and present, who have been educated in Paisley at the institution in its many guises. Currently, the Education, Children and Young People Committee has among its members Willie Rennie, who is an alumnus of Paisley’s seat of higher education, and, before that, it had Evelyn Tweed, who graduated from there as well—the Parliament’s education committee has had its very own Paisley mafia. If the public had been allowed back into the gallery, I would be able to see my wife Stacey, who also graduated as one of Paisley’s finest. During her time, the institution was known as Paisley tech, then Paisley college, and she finally graduated from the University of Paisley. My close friend and office manager David McCartney also graduated from the UWS.
I mention the fantastic work of the University of the West of Scotland at any opportunity, and today I want to talk about an initiative that is changing lives across the west of Scotland and in Paisley in particular—the UWS foundation academy.
We all know that education is the great enabler. It opens doors, creates opportunities and empowers young people to shape their lives and futures. However, for too many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, those doors have been closed. That is why programmes such as the UWS foundation academy are vital, because they break down barriers, raise aspirations and deliver on the Scottish Government’s commitment to widening access to higher education.
The impact of the UWS foundation academy is incredible. Already, since launching in 2022, the initiative has supported more than 2,300 students from 34 schools across 10 local authorities, including—right at the centre of the universe, in Paisley—pupils from Castlehead high school and Gleniffer high school, who are also benefiting from the programme.
The programme is free for schools, ensuring that financial constraints are no longer a barrier. It provides a structured pathway into university for pupils in secondary 5 and 6, helping them to gain academic confidence, experience university-level learning and—crucially—earn a Scottish credit and qualifications framework level 7 credit that can be used as an alternative to a higher B grade when applying to the UWS. That is tangible progress in tackling educational inequality, and it demonstrates the UWS delivering the Scottish Government’s widening access strategy.
The Scottish Government has made widening access to higher education a key priority, aiming to ensure that, by 2030, at least 20 per cent of university entrants come from Scotland’s most deprived backgrounds. The UWS foundation academy is directly contributing to that goal. By delivering a flexible and inclusive approach, the UWS is ensuring that young people from all backgrounds, including those who might be the first in their family to consider university, feel supported in making that step. The programme gives them the confidence, experience and qualifications that they need to succeed in life.
This is a positive Paisley story. In our town, the impact of the foundation academy is already being felt. Some 29 pupils from Castlehead high school and 17 from Gleniffer high school are engaged in this year’s cohort. Those young people are gaining invaluable insights into fields such as forensic science, sports science, engineering, nursing and many other disciplines that are crucial to Scotland’s future workforce. [Interruption.]
I am quite happy to start again for the benefit of the audience that has now come into the public gallery, Presiding Officer.
I think that you should just save the best bits for last.
A teacher at Castlehead high school summed it up best:
“For some of our pupils, this programme is the difference between going to university or not going. It breaks down barriers and gives them the belief that higher education is for them.”
That is life changing. That is what widening access is all about. This is a model for Scotland and it is a model that should be used in other areas, too.
The UWS foundation academy is an example of how universities can work hand in hand with schools and communities to deliver meaningful change. It is no surprise that the programme was nominated for the widening participation initiative of the year at the 2024 Times Higher Education awards. It is not just about access; it is about ensuring that young people thrive when they get there. The transition support, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service application guidance and the continued support even after pupils have left school make the programme a model for how we should deliver education in Scotland.
I am proud to see the UWS, which is a key institution in Paisley, leading the way in widening access to higher education. This is what a fairer Scotland looks like—a place where a young person’s potential matters more than their postcode, where talent is nurtured, not wasted, and where programmes such as the UWS foundation academy help to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision of a truly inclusive education system. I urge colleagues across the chamber to support and champion initiatives such as this, ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has the chance to fulfil their potential.
Thank you very much, Mr Adam. We move to the open debate, and I call Miles Briggs
13:06
I start by thanking George Adam, my Education, Children and Young People Committee colleague and Paisley mafia member, for securing this debate.
I put on record just how impressed I was to hear about the work that is being undertaken by the University of the West of Scotland when I recently met representatives in the Parliament. I look forward to a visit that I have set up to see some of those leading projects. The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest modern universities and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education.
As has been mentioned, since the launch of the foundation, in 2022, the programme has grown year on year, with headteachers, pupils, deputy heads and teachers in schools all remarking on the positive benefits that it is bringing to pupils, and I agree. The foundation programme includes a visit to one of the four UWS campuses and a 10-week university-level module that is delivered by UWS lecturers to pupils in their school setting. The modulated timetable, which delivers one period a week for pupils, is really important. The fact that it is free for schools has broken down many barriers, with the UWS also covering the transport costs of the campus visit, which takes place during the school day.
Pupils are invited to be involved during their S5 year, with the aim of completing the programme by December of their S6 year. As has been mentioned, since the pilot in 2022, the UWS has engaged with more than 2,500 senior pupils across more than 30 schools in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway and Glasgow city. The UWS is continuing to expand the offer to other schools throughout the west of Scotland.
The University of the West Scotland is rightly proud of delivering the foundation academy programme to senior school pupils across the west of Scotland. As George Adam outlined, this unique initiative offers pupils the opportunity to experience studying at university level while developing key academic and personal skills to ensure that they are prepared for the university experience.
The Parliament’s education committee recently met care-experienced young people to discuss the barriers to higher and further education that they are experiencing. One of the key messages that I heard from them and took away was that many felt that they were unprepared for university life. Many of those young people will be the first person in their family who has ever gone to university, so programmes such as this present a real pre-university experience and an opportunity for them to ask the many questions that they had.
The programme has provided numerous benefits to young people, including the opportunity for them to understand what they can expect beyond the boundaries of secondary school education. Ahead of the debate, I was thinking that it does not seem too long ago since I went to university. I remember the shock to my system—I went from rural Perthshire to an Aberdeen student hall flat with a railway right behind it. Luckily for me, I made many great, lifelong friends at university. However, I acknowledge that that does not happen for many young people.
The transition from school to higher or further education is a big step and a big responsibility for many young people who are leaving home or care for the first time, often to travel across the country or even further afield. Initiatives such as the UWS foundation academy can provide our young people with that extra bit of knowledge on how university life will impact them, help them to answer their many questions and address any fears and doubts that they might have.
Other universities have adopted a similar approach. I know that many of our colleges provide early holistic support to young people, but the foundation academy is the first of its kind in Scotland, which has been recognised through many awards, as George Adam said. If more universities and colleges follow the same lines and offer similar courses, that will help to reduce the number of students who drop out of university, which is something that we should all want to see.
I congratulate all those involved in the programme, which has made such a difference to many people already, on the great impact that it is having on many young people’s lives. I also congratulate George Adam on securing the debate.
I call Stephanie Callaghan. [Interruption.] We had a problem with Ms Callaghan’s audio, but it has been resolved. Please start again, Ms Callaghan.
13:11
I thank my colleague George Adam for bringing the debate to the chamber today. There are few things that matter more to me than supporting our young people to achieve their potential, so it is a great pleasure to be part of the celebration of the University of the West of Scotland’s ground-breaking foundation academy. It is a pioneering initiative that is transforming the educational landscape for senior school pupils across the west of Scotland. The initiative offers pupils the unique opportunity to experience university-level study, develop essential academic skills and enhance the quality of their university applications.
Supported by the John Mather Trust, the foundation academy has engaged more than 2,500 pupils from more than 30 schools since its inception in 2022. By providing a blended approach of on-campus and in-school learning, the foundation academy ensures that pupils are well prepared for their future academic journeys.
The success of the programme is evident in the confidence and readiness of its participants, who have gained valuable insights into university life. I listened to Holy Cross high school pupils when they presented to a large group of parents about the merits of taking part. One student said:
“I enjoyed getting to see what it is actually like at university, what the environment is like, and getting to experience different courses. I feel more confident about applying for university.”
Times Higher Education provided a really good description of the foundation academy. It said:
“By building a bridge between high school and university, outreach teams can foster aspiration and provide tangible pathways for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education.”
I am sure that we can all agree that encouraging ambition and offering concrete opportunities are key.
I will reflect a little on the rich history of the UWS in Hamilton and its deep connection to our community. The university’s presence in Hamilton dates back to the merger of the University of Paisley with Bell College in 2007. Bell College educated generations of students since opening in 1972—the year after I was born—and played a crucial role in the educational development of the region. It was a big feature of our local skyline, sitting alongside South Lanarkshire Council headquarters.
The Bell College building was in the Uddingston and Bellshill constituency. It officially closed back in 2018, when students moved to the new, state-of-the-art £110 million Lanarkshire campus, based up the road at Hamilton international technology park.
Just a few months ago, the old Bell College building was taken down, changing the local skyline and the view from my window, because I live a stone’s throw away from there. Local people have expressed nostalgia for and fond memories of the landmark that stood for more than 50 years. Everyone knows someone who studied there. There is also excitement about the future, as we look to secure a transformation that will bring new life to the heart of Hamilton and benefit the local community.
I also want to pay tribute to the late Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. She was always a strong advocate for Bell College and its legacy in the community, and for the new campus, too. Throughout her tenure, she consistently highlighted the importance of the college in providing quality education and opportunities, and that resonates with many residents to this day.
Christina was also actively involved in promoting campus safety at the University of the West of Scotland. She supported initiatives such as the standing safe campaign, which aims to end sexual violence on university campuses.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of the UWS foundation academy and to our Hamilton campus. That dedication and hard work has made a significant difference to the lives of many, and we are proud to celebrate those achievements today. Let us continue to strive for excellence, support our students and uphold the values that make the UWS a beacon of education and innovation.
13:16
I thank George Adam for bringing this celebration of the work of the University of the West of Scotland to the chamber.
We all know the power of education, and we all believe that it can transform lives. The right to education at all levels must be embedded in all that we do as politicians. It is important that we continue to work with universities to encourage programmes such as the foundation academy. The foundation academy has allowed pupils who wish to pursue higher education in a wide range of subject areas to gain access to it. It has provided a pathway without which that education might have been out of reach.
As we have heard, thousands of young people have benefited from the academy since it was launched in 2022 with the aim of bridging the gap between schools and the university, and the numbers continue to increase each year.
One of the biggest challenges that is faced by pupils who would like to go to university, especially those who lack support for and experience of university at home, is change. That can be a very difficult gap to bridge, and we all know that it has led to many people simply giving up. The programme directly addresses that issue, and we should all support it in doing so.
As others have said, the programme includes accredited modules and affords the students a taster of university education.
I was pleased to speak with delegates from the University of the West of Scotland about the foundation academy when they visited Parliament earlier this year. I am proud to say that in my South Scotland region, 245 pupils have participated. Through the programme, they have gained insight and learning experiences to improve their future university applications.
No child or young person should ever feel limited because of their background or circumstances. Everyone should have support to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to access their chosen path. The programme provides opportunity by creating more routes for students to gain access to university. It is vitally important that students from all backgrounds have access to university, should they wish it.
We know the impact of growing up in poverty, which causes unfair barriers to accessing further education. We should be doing everything that we can to provide all children with the tools to choose their own future, which must include access to university, if they choose that option.
As I have a rural constituency, it is very common for constituents to tell me how difficult it is for their young family members to travel to education and training. Recent work that I have participated in around traditional building trades highlighted the issue for me. If a young person living in Dalmellington wants to learn a trade such as roofing, they cannot, through no fault of their own, get public transport that allows them to reach college for the start time. How can we expect them to commit to options that they simply cannot get to?
We in the Parliament have a responsibility to fix those injustices. Part of our responsibility in relation to supporting programmes such as the foundation academy is to look at the wider issues for and needs of our communities.
The programme addresses the challenges that pupils might have. First, it fully funds visits to the university and, secondly, pupils get experience of modules being delivered by lecturers in their own school for a period each week. That provides them with a comprehensive understanding of how university teaching is structured, and gives them accredited skills, knowledge and confidence—and the qualification that other members have mentioned—to take with them in the next steps in their education.
I appreciate all the work that staff and students have done, and I wish them great success for the future. I welcome all the contributions from members today.
I invite Graeme Dey to respond to the debate—around seven minutes, please.
13:20
I thank George Adam for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I thank other members for their contributions. I welcome representatives of the University of the West of Scotland to the gallery; unfortunately, they sadly missed the beginning of George Adam’s contribution owing to the fire alarm.
Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting the UWS to speak to—and, more importantly, hear from—staff and students. I heard about the excellent work that the university does to attract and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation academy is one of those pieces of work, and it continues to go from strength to strength. It is a fantastic example of partnership working, and that alternative pathway is the type of innovative approach that will help to make access to universities easier. I am pleased that we have had the opportunity to celebrate it today.
As we have heard, the UWS foundation academy supports S5 and S6 pupils who attend schools with lower progression rates. It has partnered with 34 individual schools across 10 local authority areas. The 12-month programme helps pupils to develop academic skills and experience university-level study, and it provides an opportunity for them to visit a campus. That is all helpful in preparing young people for university life, as Miles Briggs noted. The programme is tailored to meet specific regional needs and is delivered at no cost to local authorities or schools.
As we heard earlier, the successful completion of the programme furnishes graduates with credit-bearing modules that can be used as an alternative to a B at higher when applying to UWS. A measure of its credibility is the uptake of the offering. In 2022-23, it engaged with 441 pupils across seven schools; thus far, in 2025-26, engagement sits at 1,207 individuals across 34 schools.
I put on record my thanks to all those at the UWS and their partners for the brilliant work at the foundation academy and for their wider approach to supporting students once they enter the institution. The student success model operating within the institution has real potential, not just for the UWS but for the wider sector. It would be remiss of me, however, not to acknowledge the work that is done by other higher education institutions, such as the University of Glasgow and Queen Margaret University, in reaching into communities to help to ensure that our young people are prepared and supported to be able to pursue university education.
The Government has been clear that we remain resolutely committed to free tuition. The hundreds of students who were able to go to the university because of the foundation academy have been able to do so with no tuition fees to pay. That is the right thing to do, not only for those individuals but for society, and I am proud that Scotland is a nation in which access to university is based on the ability to learn, not on the ability to pay.
Last month’s Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics showed a welcome upward trend in the proportion of students from deprived areas entering university. I know that those figures reflect a huge amount of effort from all staff who are working to support those learners, whether in our schools, our colleges, our universities or elsewhere, and I pay tribute to them for that. However, we know that, collectively, we still have work to do if we want to support more learners from all backgrounds to access higher education.
We are in a different place in comparison with 2016 and, in many ways, it is a much more challenging place. However, I know from speaking to our universities, and to the commissioner for fair access, that the momentum behind this agenda is stronger than ever. As we continue to focus on making progress towards widening access to higher education, it is important to remember why we are doing that. It is to allow everyone to reach their potential, and I am confident that, with programmes such as the foundation academy, we are helping people to do just that.
That concludes the debate.
13:24 Meeting suspended until 14:30.Air ais
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