Westminster Bright teenagers from poor families will be given £400 to spend on after-school clubs to encourage them to excel, and universities are offering more places at summer schools. The aim is to encourage talented but disadvantaged teenagers to apply to top universities.

More than 1,500 pupils aged 14 and 15 from London, the Midlands and Manchester who are eligible for free school meals will receive the payments for clubs, extra lessons and mentoring. The summer schools will give 21,000 pupils an introduction to university life.

Government attempts to widen diversity in higher education are behind the schemes. Lord Adonis, the Schools Minister, said: “The extra funding will help unlock the talents of all our young people, ensuring that a university education is an option for everyone. For many disadvantaged pupils, poverty of aspiration can be the biggest obstacle and there may be financial pressures pushing them towards early employment. In addition, students who do choose to attend university may not set their sights high enough.” Lord Adonis announced that £10 million of funding is to be given to schools so that they can train their own leaders to support special needs.

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