The universities minister has called on higher education institutions to do more to “open up opportunities” to disadvantaged school pupils amid fears of a widening attainment gap under covid-19.

Speaking today at a summit on widening access, Michelle Donelan said the coronavirus pandemic presented particular challenges for disadvantaged pupils who “may not be able to rely on their schools, colleges or teachers for information, advice and guidance that is so crucial in this time of their lives”.

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She said that the “onus” needed to be on universities to “go further” in efforts to improve social mobility, “not just admitting disadvantaged students with good grades, but focusing even more on helping them to achieve and complete courses.

“And going the extra mile to raise standards and aspirations in schools”.

Drawing attention to specialist maths schools, which are sponsored by universities, Ms Donelan praised their success rate and “inspirational” teaching.

“There is much to learn from the high quality and long-term involvement that universities have had with these maths schools, and of course, it’s not just maths,” she said.

“Whether it’s science, languages, engineering or the humanities, universities should be doing all they can to raise attainment for the less fortunate and work with schools.”

“That can be sponsoring schools, supporting a robust curriculum or running summer camps, universities have the potential here to make a tremendous difference in opening up opportunities.”

Ms Donelan also used her speech to introduce a new online hub, Uni4me, which will offer online learning and tuition in core GCSE and A-level subjects.