Aim Higher
Aimhigher is a programme run by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) The programme aims to widen participation in higher education (H.E.) by raising the awareness, aspirations and attainment of young people from under-represented groups. Aimhigher operates across England on a national, regional and area basis and is directed at students aged 14-19.
The role of Aimhigher is to:
• Raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE from young people from under- represented groups, particularly those from families with no prior history of Higher Education.
• Raise attainment of those groups so that they gain academic or vocational qualifications that enable them to enter H.E.
• Raise awareness of the different progression routes that will enable them to enter H.E.
• Offer information, advice and guidance to students and their families.
Aimhigher activities:
• Campus activities.
• Residential summer schools.
• Master classes and taster days.
• Mentoring programmes.
• Online and other information sources.
• Activities at a regional and local level.
Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Sports College has been an active participant in the Aimhigher programme for the past four years. It has had a significant effect on the progress and aspirations of our students:
‘One thing I have learnt about myself through this experience (of going to summer school) is that whatever background you come from, whatever income your family has, university is possible!’
Aimhigher has provided exciting regional events such as taster sessions in Languages, Media and ICT at The University of Wolverhampton for Year 9, a Forensic Science Conference at Aston University for 6th form Psychology students and a science event at Staffordshire University which combined progression to H.E. with practical science workshops.
Students are introduced to Aimhigher through ‘The Aimhigher Roadshow’ in Year 9 and a performance of ‘The Promise’ by Zip theatre in Year 10.
‘The Promise’ is the tale of a group of young people and the decisions they make about their futures. It is an exceptional performance-exciting, informative and very, very funny!
One of the most rewarding experiences for a student is to participate in the Aimhigher Summer Schools programme. Summer Schools are a great opportunity to experience university life first hand, meet university students and staff and have an action packed week! Attending a week long Summer school will provide the chance to explore a range of subjects and experience the full student life.
This summer, fourteen Year 11, and 8 Year 12 students spent a week on campus at various universities, described by some as ‘life changing.’
‘It was the best experience ever, I didn’t want to leave.’
A part of a programme offered by The Sutton Trust, two students from Year 12 won summer school places at The University of Bristol and at Oxford University. These students were part of an elite group admitted on the basis of their GCSE results-the minimum requirement was 7 passes at grade A or A*. The experience has opened doors that would never before have been possible. We now anticipate our first Oxford applicant this year.
