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Aimhigher at Patchway Community College
Patchway Community College is committed to the government aim of raising the aspirations and attainment of young people to encourage their participation in higher education (HE) through both traditional and non-traditional pathways.
Aimhigher activities are held both in school, at a regional level and are also supported by national Aimhigher activity.
The role of Aimhigher is to:
• Raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE among young people from under-represented groups, in line with the Government’s target that by the year 2010, 50% of those aged between 18 and 30 should have the opportunity to benefit from HE.
• Raise attainment of potential students from under-represented groups so that they gain the academic or vocational qualifications that will enable them to enter HE.
• Raise awareness and understanding of the different progression routes into HE via vocational courses – so that prospective students understand that A-levels are not the only option.
• Offer information, advice and guidance to potential students and their families.
Aimhigher Activities
A wide range of activities take place to engage and motivate students in all year groups who have the potential to enter higher education. These include:
General awareness raising visits to higher educational establishments
Master classes and taster days at higher educational establishments
Mentoring programmes
Aimhigher Roadshow
Theatre productions
Residential subject conferences
Visits to school from current undergraduate students
Presentations from previous pupils now studying HE
Student ambassadors at parent/information evenings
Residential Summer Schools
Revision Courses
Personal evaluation and target setting
Benefits of HE
HE allows young people to fulfil their potential. In today’s world of high technology, employers increasingly need skilled and educated workers. By studying for a degree, young people will have opportunities to choose from a broad range of exciting careers. It is believed that the average graduate will earn over £100,000 more than a similar individual with ‘A’ Levels.
As well as improved career prospects, student life is a chance to make new friends and take part in a wide range of social and sporting activities. For many students living away from home, this is their first experience of full independence. HE is a great way of making the move from childhood to the adult world, without the immediate pressure of fulltime work.
Graduates are also likely to experience better health, be less likely to commit crime and more likely to engage in civil society.
Who is HE for?
Going to university was once seen as only for people from more affluent families but this is no longer the case. More students are going into HE than ever before, including people of all ages, and from all backgrounds and walks of life. By 2010 it is anticipated that half of all UK adults under 30 will have had some HE experience. This includes a lot of students from families in which no one before has been to university.
Further information
The following websites provide information that is specifically designed to answer the many questions that young people and their parents/carers may have about higher education:
Aimhigher
Aimhigher's national website is full of information on all aspects of further and higher education, from choosing a course to finance.
www.aimhigher.ac.uk
Parents Centre
A website covering all aspects of parenting. Includes information on further and higher education and how it will benefit your child.
www.parentscentre.gov.uk
UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. www.ucas.co.uk
Their dedicated parents' section provides information on how to approach higher education. www.ucas.co.uk/parents/index.html
uni4me
General information for people thinking about going into higher education.
www.uni4me.co.uk
Please contact Mrs Fletcher to find out more about our Aimhigher programme at Patchway Community College.
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