New Mentoring Programme Connects Isle of Wight College Students with University of Portsmouth School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Undergraduates
This week saw the launch of an exciting new mentoring partnership between the University of Portsmouth’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and students studying Criminology, Forensic Science and Criminal Justice at the Isle of Wight College.
The initiative pairs university undergraduates with Level 3 learners to provide direct academic support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the academic year. Mentors will offer insights into university study, student life, and pathways into careers.
The programme has been created in response to long-standing barriers faced by Isle of Wight learners. Geographic isolation, travel costs, limited local opportunities and lower levels of family experience with university all contribute to reduced progression to Higher Education for Island students. Across the Isle of Wight, only around a quarter of young people progress to higher education by age 19—well below the national average of nearly half.
In addition to mentoring, the partnership is expanding to include visiting university lecturers from the University of Portsmouth School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, who will be delivering specialist lessons and workshops directly at the College. Isle of Wight students will also gain access to the School’s professional networks, providing opportunities to engage with academics, practitioners, and industry events that would otherwise be difficult to reach from the Island.
By establishing these sustained opportunities, the collaboration aims to build confidence, raise aspirations, and give students a clearer understanding of what university study looks and feels like. Together, these initiatives represent a significant step forward in tackling educational inequality on the Isle of Wight through practical, high-impact partnership working.