Academic support and its influence on HE participation decisions: The continuing power of local culture

This paper explored why a group of young adults, living within traditionally working-class communities in Northtown, chose not to participate in HE and the influence that academic support has on their decision making. It considers the academic support on offer to the participants, at their place of study, and how the various mechanisms influenced their participation decision. The research indicates a particular complex attitude toward support, with participants appearing to view the academic related support offered by their sixth form as being a vital ingredient for success. This research proposes that the participants seemed to be comforted by the support they receive and that this, as part of an institution’s habitus, (Reay, David and Ball, 2001) influences their decision making.