20 years of The Trinity Access Programmes
Posted on: 05 April 2013
The Trinity Access Programmes has organised a series of events to mark its 20th birthday. The events, which began on Thursday 4th April, include a performance of the play ‘Educating Rita’ by DU Players, followed by a reception hosted by the Phil. It is thirty years since the Willie Russell play was filmed in Trinity College, starring Sir Michael Caine and Julie Walters and focusing on the experience of a mature student returning to college to read English.
On Thursday 11th April at 4.30pm, the Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairi Quinn is launching a TAP research report in the Long Room Hub, on the family and community impact of Trinity College access graduates. This report demonstrates that a ripple effect occurs within families when the first generation of a family participates in third level education.
Also on 11th April, there is a ‘Faces of TAP’ photographic exhibition taking place in the Dining Hall, which recognises the significant contribution made by many people within Trinity, nationally and internationally in developing policy, practice and research related to widening participation and educational access over the last twenty years. The event will include a performance by the Trinitones and the launch of a specific TAP Alumni Scholarship by TAP alumni of Trinity. The exhibition has been sponsored by TCD Association & Trust.
TAP is joined in its 20th anniversary celebrations by Rick and Karen Dalton, of the US based educational NGO ‘College for Every Student’. CFES is the most effective college access programme for low-income students in USA. Since 1991, the programme has helped 100,000+ students graduate from high school and go to college. CFES will present to Liaison Officers from TAP link second level schools on 11th April and TAP/CFES are looking forward to piloting the highly successful CFES model in St Joseph’s School, Rush, in September 2013.
On 16th April, TAP is partnering with The Lir Theatre, RSA and a UK-based arts in education NGO, Gig Arts, for delivery of a music performance and art workshop and gig, involving up to 100 students from TAP linked second level schools.
Over the last twenty years, TAP has enjoyed significant growth through its student numbers, graduates, programmes and partners. TAP aims to continue this growth into the next period, aiming for 2,020 TAP graduates by 2020. In the 2003-13 period:
– 1,300 TAP students have come through TCD (600 graduates and 700 undergraduates)
– 7,500 students progressed to higher education from TAP link second level schools
– 19% of the TCD student body are now from ‘under-represented groups’
Each TAP student creates a ‘ripple’ effect in their own family and community, acting as powerful role models and inspiring others to achieve.
Members of the College community are also welcome to attend the ‘Faces of TAP’ exhibition on 11th April at 6pm.
For more information, see www.tcd.ie/Trinity_Access