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.
Uni Connect has created a handbook for local Year 10 students that meets the demand for wellbeing materials, bridges the digital divide, and offers something unique to the world of online outreach.
Outreach Officers Eliza Cox (University of Leeds), Laura Bareham (University of Huddersfield) and Sophie Clayton (Leeds City College) produced the resource after the pandemic severely disrupted their engagement with schools.
The handbook, entitled ‘Shaping Your Future Starts Here’, takes students through the FE and HE process, as well as providing lots of wellbeing tips and advice. It is written in the same informal and friendly tone you would find in a self-help book.
The collaborative project involved input from colleagues from many partners and feedback from Progression Officers shaped the final product.
Hundreds of copies have been distributed across 51 GHWY schools and it has received incredibly positive feedback from HE colleagues and teachers. One said: “I’m sure our pupils will love completing them. I wish I had something like it when I was in school!”
Due to high demand, extra copies are being printed and the PDF is being circulated across partners. Eliza, Sophie and Laura look forward to working with the GHWY Evaluation team to monitor engagement, and to creating some supporting resources for use in lessons.