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<p>Widening participation is a priority for this government. We want to ensure that
everyone with talent and potential to succeed in higher education has the opportunity
to do so, regardless of background, ethnicity or where they grew up. Higher education
institutions play an important role in achieving this goal through their outreach
and widening participation work.</p><p>Government has already made available school
level data on pupils eligible for free school meals through the ‘Find and compare
schools in England’ service and I encourage universities to make use of this. This
is available at: <a href="https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/"
target="_blank">https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Universities
should also continue to work directly with schools and third sector organisations
to spot and nurture talent early. I have asked Department for Education officials
to look at ways the department can support the sector, to identify talented pupils
and to help assist in targeting outreach activity.</p>
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