The role of teachers, senior leadership teams and advisors is crucial in supporting students and potential students to access Higher Education. Whether supporting someone by raising attainment, helping them to make informed choices, or by providing practical information and advice, at Go Higher West Yorkshire we have resources which can help.
The information and links below have been compiled to assist you to help support learners’ attainment and aspirations, inform their choices about courses and careers, and guide them through the application process on their journey to Higher Education. This includes the OfS Uni Connect Programme Outreach Hub – helping schools and colleges access the higher education outreach they need.
The journey started in schools, colleges and universities, doesn’t end at graduation.
Exposure to the world of work is key to developing employability skills and securing a job.
That’s why we work collaboratively with employers and industry experts, supporting our partners to equip their students for the changing economy.
Go Higher West Yorkshire: reducing inequalities in access to, success in and progression from Higher Education.
Castleford Academy has been nominated for an award that celebrates success in widening access to higher education (HE).
The school, which is part of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) Uni Connect (UC) programme, has been shortlisted in the NEON Awards. This is in recognition of the measures it has in place for pupil premium, academic attainment, and Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). These ensure its students make informed and confident decisions about progression into HE.
Its comprehensive strategies and programmes include a full-time GHWY HE Progression Officer. They co-ordinate a sustainable and progressive programme of HE related activity that includes working collaboratively on a wide range of projects and initiatives with HE providers, employers, local schools and running a HE Student Council.
Following the Academy’s recent OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ rating it delivers a ‘Journey to Outstanding’ CPD package that presents the impact of its careers and UC work and shares best practice with schools nationally. Its commitment to CEIAG has also been recognised nationally, having received the Quality in Careers Gold Award.
Kathryn Chippendale, Assistant Headteacher/Careers Lead at Castleford Academy, said: “We are very proud of the support we provide for our pupils across the Academy. Their journey to further and higher education ensures pupils have more opportunities for their future career pathways and supporting them through careers guidance, Uni Connect and our careers curriculum across the Academy plays a vital part in this journey.”
Award winners will be announced on Thursday, 22 October and will recognise students who have progressed to HE from widening access backgrounds, and how they made this journey.
NEON is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to HE. It enables those working to widen access to HE at all levels and in all sectors to affect change in their own organisations and communities.