Our Projects
Between 2004 and the end of the 2008/09 academic year, the local Aimhigher partnership will have funded over 2,500 separate initiatives that have led to over 45,000 individual interventions with young people. This, in itself, is a significant achievement.
The range of projects undertaken varies tremendously. Loosely following the key topics outlined in the Progression Framework, just some are listed here.
Visits to and from HEIs: Getting individuals or groups of pupils out of the classroom to see with their own eyes what universities are really like, to understand how students live and study, and how universities work. These trips receive really positive feedback from pupils. Sometimes it can be good to get motivational and informative visits to schools by HE representatives too. We welcome these visits being made.
Masterclasses and Taster Days: Schools or school partnerships invite engaging and motivational experts in various subject areas to encourage pupils to think ‘outside the box’ about a given subject, or to recognise links to a subject area’s real-life application.
Higher Education Field Academies (HEFAs): A truly ‘ground breaking’ initiative designed to use field archaeology as a ‘vehicle’ with which to introduce university study to groups of school pupils. This is a cross curricular project where youngsters carry out undergraduate level analytical study (and get muddy!); it places its emphasis on practical work and accessibility whilst allowing pupils to put all those subjects they learn at school to real, practical use in the field. The programme, piloted here in Cambs, has received national acclaim and is being rolled out elsewhere in the country.
HE Mentoring: Giving identified learners from target groups a helping hand along the path to HE study by means of 1-on-1 support by independent, trained staff.
Study Skills Workshops: Experts in developing individual programmes to support a learner’s optimum learning styles and the development of methods of support, study skills workshops help to raise attainment and can act as building blocks for future development later in life.
Staff Development: In these times of constant review and development, it is difficult for staff working with learners to keep abreast of new developments relating to progression at the same time as teaching! Aimhigher hosts events and programmes designed to develop knowledge about specific areas (eg: Aimhigher’s Achievability programme designed to develop strategies to support learners with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia).
Information Advice and Guidance: Aimhigher works with other partners (including Connexions, the Learning and Skills Council and MOVE) to provide accurate and topical advice and guidance to learners and their families about topics that include student finance options, applying to university, progression routes and local provision.
Supporting Diploma Development: Aimhigher staff also work to support the development of the new Diplomas that have begun to be rolled out in England and Wales. There are now Diplomas in a range of subjects including Health & Social Care, Creative, Cultural/Media and Business Studies.
Aimhigher Roadshows: Bringing HE information into schools and colleges and sharing this with learners in a fun, interactive way. Aimhigher’s Roadshow programme takes place annually and visits different schools each year.