Opening doors to creative futures: the life-changing impact of Fair Access at RCS
Fair Access at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland opens up the world of the arts and higher education to everyone, regardless of background.
Fair Access supports young people from under-resourced communities, as well as those with care experience or who are estranged from their families, to explore their creative potential and take their next steps towards further study and careers in the arts.
Over the past academic year, the team has continued to make a significant impact across Scotland, engaging nearly 130 young people through its core programmes and activities, while connecting with more than 2,000 young people, teachers, arts professionals and organisations through open events, school visits, careers activities and outreach work.
From new credit-rated Access Courses and Get Into programmes to masterclasses, workshops and industry placements, the year has been packed with opportunities designed to develop artistic practice and create pathways for progression.
Jesse Paul, Head of Fair Access and Community, said: “This was a year of innovative change for Fair Access. We were supported by the Scottish Funding Council to make a real difference for those least likely to go on to university.
“I am proud to say we successfully launched three new programmes – BA Arts with Community, BA Dance Artist and our SCQF6 credit-rated Access Courses.
“The two degrees have become a strong and successful part of our undergraduate portfolio at RCS, and we cannot wait to invite our second cohorts in September. We will continue to run our credit rated Access programme and add a further credit rated programme for senior phase pupils called Conservatoire Foundations – it will be a busy year ahead for sure.”
A highlight was student success on credit-rated Access Courses, with 100% securing positive destinations, including at RCS. Of those students, 84.7% are progressing to higher education and 15.3% are moving directly into industry.
One participant said: “This course gave me the resources, skills and experience that I desperately needed. It changed my life.”
Another commented: “Endlessly grateful to have been able to be on this course! I can’t think of a more inclusive space with staff and peers who encourage you, understand you and are rooting for you.”
While another said: “This course offered me the opportunity to discover more about auditioning for drama school, working to become a strong and confident candidate.
Being in a creative and open-minded space alongside people from other artforms, not just acting, was also a beneficial experience into learning how to work together when everyone has different views and thoughts than you. The RCS community and experience truly is Like Nowhere Else.”
The Get Into programme also had strong outcomes, with ten participants securing higher education places and, to date, nine progressing onto RCS credit-rated Access Courses.
Alongside preparation for higher education, Fair Access continued to create pathways into professional practice. Fifteen young people undertook industry placements with organisations including the Citizens Theatre and Glasgow Zine Library, providing valuable experience of working in creative environments.
Participants said: “It gave me a real boost in confidence and helped me clarify that I wanted to keep working in creative environments.”
“This gave me an incredible opportunity I’d never have had before, and I just want to learn and do more!”
Throughout the year, Fair Access delivered a range of opportunities to help young people prepare for applying to RCS, including taster days for BA Acting and Bachelor of Education, interview and audition prep offerings, and suites of online learning.
The team also continued to strengthen connections between RCS and communities across the country, with Creative Gateway events in locations including North Ayrshire and Dundee to provide careers advice, networking opportunities and information about creative pathways.
Attendees described feeling inspired by what they discovered. One said: “I found out about free creative opportunities for young people in Dundee that I didn’t know existed!”
Another added: “I felt excited at the start and now I know that the creative arts are for everyone.”
“Hearing from different voices in the room made me feel better connected in doing what I do every day.”
Elsewhere, the Big Ticket Giveaway enabled young people to attend RCS shows and productions while Backstage with Books welcomed school groups to RCS for behind-the-scenes tours, including the library.
One teacher said: “The pupils loved it and left feeling really inspired. They couldn’t believe that anyone can come in and use the RCS library as a study space.”
Supporting teachers and arts professionals was another important strand of Fair Access activity.
Through a programme of Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL), educators and practitioners from across Scotland were able to work with industry experts to develop new skills while strengthening connections between schools, communities and higher education.
Participants said: “Best CPD I’ve had in years…possibly this decade.”
“I really appreciate these opportunities from Fair Access and how much is being done to widen access to high- quality arts training.”
“This was fabulous – a great opportunity to meet with other teachers, highly thankful for the openness to share techniques which are often closely guarded secrets!”
“I feel more confident about delivering this aspect of the drama curriculum. The resources have been great. This course has demystified the whole process.”
“It feels wonderful to have this connection with RCS and context between secondary and higher education and training.”
“Absolutely loved this session. Great delivery, content, pacing and achieved that fine balance with talk and creative opportunities. Every CLPL should be like this!”