The North East Uni Connect Programme Annual Review 2019 – 2020

Universities Colleges City of Gateshead College Hartlepool College of Further Education Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Stockton Riverside College The Northern School of Art Tyne Coast College THE NORTH EAST UNI CONNECT PROGRAMME ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 – 2020

Contents Welcome

4 The North East Uni Connect Programme I am pleased to introduce this In the 2019-20 academic year the - FutureMe and Outreach North East report detailing the activity, impact programme gained local and national and achievements of the North recognition for a range of initiatives. 6 The FutureMe Programme East Uni Connect Programme in We held the region’s first online higher 2019-2020. The programme has education festival, HE Fest 20. The week of 10 FutureMe in Figures continued to build on its strong activity saw students, parents and teachers foundations and collaborative access a number of different activities 12 Outreach North East working and found creative delivered from the North East Uni Connect Programme and our partner institutions. 13 HE Fest 20 solutions to the challenging circumstances during the spring This truly collaborative event showcased and summer terms. the huge amount of support available 14 Celebrating our work regarding higher education progression in The FutureMe programme saw a very the region. We were also delighted to be 18 Moving Forwards successful year with the number of nominated by the Times Higher Education activities and number of target students Awards for Widening Participation engaged at record numbers. During the Initiative of the Year 2020. period of school and college closure, As we begin a new academic year the activity was adapted to a blended model partnership is continuing to deliver activity of online and face-to-face delivery to allow to young people, parents and teachers the continuation of support to students across the region and we look forward considering their future options and to supporting the region for another transition into higher education. academic year. In addition to the longstanding activities delivered across the region, the launch of Outreach North East has provided the opportunity to strengthen the work in the region, reach a wider audience and engage with key sector organisations to create a ‘joined up’ approach to higher education outreach.

Kate Murray Head of Regional Partnerships (Widening Participation)

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The North East Uni Connect Programme – FutureMe and Outreach North East

Uni Connect, brings together Established in January 2017, the FutureMe Outreach North East 29 regional partnerships of Partnership in the North East has delivered FutureMe is the programme of Outreach North East is a single point universities, colleges and local targeted outreach activity to students activity offered to students in targeted of contact for teachers and advisers partners to offer information and residing in areas where progression to areas, within schools and colleges. which signposts and improves access to activities about the benefits of higher education was low and lower than Students taking part in FutureMe will have information and support to encourage progressing onto higher education. expected based on GCSE attainment. access to a range of activities and events progression to higher education. In 2019, we introduced additional activity to support them in considering their future Outreach North East provides impartial through our Outreach Hub to help options to gain an enhanced knowledge information about higher education to teachers and advisers in schools and and understanding of educational help teachers and advisers best support colleges access the higher education pathways available to them. By taking their students in making informed choices outreach information they need and part in FutureMe activities we want about their futures. provide a platform for wider collaboration. young people to: Through the Uni Connect Programme, we Outreach North East provides: now offer two strands of activity. • Have the opportunity to plan for their future and gain an understanding of • A website designed specifically for what can support them in reaching teachers and advisors to source their goals; impartial advice and guidance on higher education progression support • Have access to high quality information and a search engine providing details and support to help them consider of the outreach opportunities provided whether higher education is the right by our universities, colleges and key option for them; stakeholders; • Have an increased awareness and • A platform for key stakeholders to understanding of higher education collaborate across the region to opportunities and progression support higher education progression; pathways in the region. • CPD opportunities for teachers and In addition to the sustained and targeted advisers, both face to face and online support students receive in schools and to support improved information and colleges the FutureMe programme has advice for young people in the region. a strong digital presence with a website containing impartial information and resources to support all young people across the region access the information they need to make an informed choice about their future.

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The FutureMe Programme

Activity for Schools and Schools We expanded our HE Champion The Covid-19 outbreak and school Finding My FutureMe Online is an with Sixth Forms programme by 85% to create a team closures meant that in-person delivery example of our online delivery. A series of of teaching staff within schools to of activity was no longer possible from themed content and interactive activities In the autumn and spring terms of the strategically and operationally embed a March 2020. The FutureMe programme was released weekly, providing young 2019-20 academic year the FutureMe culture of higher education support within was therefore quickly redeveloped into people with insights into what it is like to programme of activity was delivered in their schools. We now have in place 63 a robust virtual offer that was openly study in higher education. 96 target schools, with record numbers of HE Champions across the region. accessible on the FutureMe website Passport to FutureMe, an online activities delivered and students reached. expanding our reach to ensure that all A launch event was held for HE alternative to our planned residential Programme targets for the year were young people were able to take part, Champions and members of school event, enabled students to experience exceeded in 2020. Schools benefitted including those from broader groups senior leadership teams on 15th October higher education activities and support from face-to-face undergraduate currently under-represented in higher 2019. The 73 delegates, including school to help make informed decisions. mentoring programmes for years 9-11 and education. senior leaders, were provided with an Participants had the opportunity to take 27 higher education ambassador sessions opportunity to learn more about the role, Activities were delivered via live part in virtual campus tours, scavenger with content covering all of the learning take part in CPD on Excellence in HE interactive webinars, pre-recorded hunts, and key tasks all leading to the outcomes of the North East Regional Guidance and hear best practice case sessions and interactive online activities completion of their Passport to FutureMe. Progression framework. Students also had studies. Following the launch, the HE and also included specific information and the opportunity to take part in skills-based Champions have been instrumental in support for year 13 students considering workshops, motivational speaker sessions, working to ensure the language of higher applying to higher education for 2020 theatre group presentations, and to visit education is embedded into their school admission. Materials were also provided institutions as part of the ‘Exploring my culture. for schools to download into hard copy FutureMe @...’ on campus visits. resources to share with young people who September 2019 saw the first FutureMe did not have access to technology. All Schools’ Programme awards ceremony. activities within the virtual offer continued This inaugural event took place on 12th to be developed based on the principles September hosted at the Quayside in the North East Regional Progression Exchange, Sunderland and celebrated Framework to ensure young people the achievements of students, FutureMe continued to be offered a sustained and mentors and staff in target schools across progressive programme. the region during the 2018-19 academic year. The event attended by students, parents/carers, school staff and staff from the Uni Connect team was a huge success and has inspired participating schools to ensure their school/students are amongst those being recognised in the future.

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FE activity Regional activity Our colleges across the region, designed FutureMe Challenge is a virtual alternative and delivered a wide range of HE to the FutureMe Enterprise Challenge sessions, workshops, masterclasses and was open to all students in Y9-Y13. and one to one support to provide Young people were invited to contribute interventions that reflected the diversity to the FutureMe marketing activity of the student cohort and the varying to ensure messages and designs are programmes of study, both A Level, relevant to young people in the region. vocational, technical and apprenticeship Students were provided with weekly programmes. higher education content and tasked with designing a higher education story board In 2019-20 our college partners across All colleges engaged with local employers supported by worksheets and resources. the region engaged with 4,550 students in the delivery of FutureMe and the Shortlisted entries have been converted and delivered over 600 activities. More majority also integrated activity relating into a comic book and the winning design than half of participating students to the National Citizen Service (NCS) in produced as a short YouTube advert, completed three or more activities their programme. Each college’s FutureMe both designed to promote key higher with 60% participating in 4+ hours of programme included activity designed education messages created by students additional activity. to develop students’ “soft skills” through for students. creative activities including team building Prior to the initial period of the Covid-19 skills, interview techniques and public Opportunity North East lockdown in March 2020, over 45 speaking. In addition, in 2019-20 activity university visits were undertaken along During 2019-20, Uni Connect was designed to support positive mental with more than 200 masterclasses in a delighted to work with colleagues at the health and personal resilience featured wide range of curriculum areas including Department for Education to be able to strongly in college FutureMe programmes. Law, Art & Design, Nursing, Education, extend the FutureMe offer into additional Engineering, IT & Computing, Fashion, During the Covid-19 lockdown period schools across the region as part of the Business, Travel & Tourism, Public from mid-March onwards all colleges Opportunity North East project. This joint Services, Cyber Security, Architecture & and sixth form colleges were able to funded project enabled an additional Construction. continue engaging with students and seven schools, in geographic areas delivering FutureMe effectively. This was not previously reached, to receive the achieved by college FutureMe staff quickly FutureMe offer. A further nine schools adapting a significant number of their are being invited to join the programme planned activities to make them suitable from 2020-21. The partnership is for delivery via online methods including working closely with the North East Local use of their own in-house Virtual Learning Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) and the Environment (VLE) platforms. Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to align the offer to the project they lead with Opportunity North East to add value and maximise impact.

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FutureMe in Figures

13,466 students engaged (8,902 school students, 4,564 college students)

Y9 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Post Sec 26% 19% 15% 22% 18% 1%

Uni Connect Target Schools 94 Opportunity North East Target Schools 6 Uni Connect Colleges 15 Other schools or colleges 5 TOTAL 120

Over 1,800 activities took place target students engaged 4,564 in activities in colleges target students engaged in activities in schools 8,902 activities delivered in colleges 601 (student-focused) target students engaged in 6,867 621 target students engaged 3,113 face-to-face mentoring sessions in HE sessions (face-to- target students engaged in third 1,785 face and online) party activity, parent/carer target students online and face- engagements engaged in finding 20 target students took to-face my FutureMe online part in passport to FutureMe 45 57 activities for teachers/ advisers and parents/ teacher/adviser

116 target students engaged in virtual FutureMe challenge carers delivered 294 engagements 10 | FUTUREME.AC.UK OUTREACHNORTHEAST.AC.UK | 11 THE NORTH EAST UNI CONNECT PROGRAMME ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 – 2020

THE EVENTS Outreach North East THE SESSIONS THE AUDIENCE

Outreach North East is a new, single Outreach North East provides: VIP PASS point of contact hub for teachers • A website containing information of [ ACCESS ALL AREAS ] and advisers to signpost and the outreach activities available from improve access to information and our partner universities and colleges, 13.07.20– support to encourage progression allowing teachers to view all activity 175REGISTRATIONS to higher education. that may be useful to their students in 17.07.20 Outreach North East was established in one place; March 2020 and provides an opportunity • Telephone support for all teachers and for our Partnership to build further advisers wanting more information collaborative activity across the region. on how they can access and utilise Outreach North East has three strands outreach opportunities in the region; of activity: • Opportunities to collaborate with key • Signposting: Enabling teachers stakeholders in the region delivering 18partner and advisors to access information 5 sessions related support for young people; on all higher education outreach opportunities across the north east to • Free CPD opportunities for teachers 5 days of activity exhibitions students: 28% support their students; and advisers to support improved 2 information and advice for young delivered by • Support: Enabling a broader range people in the region. of schools and students from groups currently under-represented in higher To help teachers and advisers navigate education to access support; the online help, advice and support available during Covid-19 from partner • Strategic Engagement: Enabling institutions9 both regional and national partner effective and impactful collaboration organisations we created the Outreach 21 sessions delivered 16 partner institutions teachers / advisers: 68% between partnership members and North East Toolkit. This Toolkit is an key stakeholders (e.g. Careers & online collection of information and Enterprise Company, National Citizen resources on subjects such as: exams and Service, Opportunity North East). assessments, confirmation and clearing processes, student support resources and

professional development opportunities. 15 55presenters The Toolkit also directs to each of our partner institution websites, specifically totalling 15.5 hours 6 employers parents / carers: 4% the pages containing Covid-19 related information.

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Celebrating our work

Over the last year, the North East Attendees also had the opportunity to Uni Connect Programme has led on speak to institutions and employers in the delivery of innovative outreach the region during a virtual exhibition and provision. This included the creation could network with peers in the online of a new annual event HE Fest and ‘social spaces’. led to a nomination for the Times The week of activity drew upon areas Higher Education Award, Widening of expertise in the region and, although Participation Outreach Initiative of it showcased the local offer, the online the year. nature of this activity meant that it was able to be accessed nationally. The wide HE Fest 20 range of activity available meant that The North East Uni Connect Programme The programme is underpinned by a The impact of Covid-19 and the resulting festival goers were able to create a truly has been shortlisted for the Times Higher competition in which the boys must create school closures provided many challenges unique programme, allowing them to Education (THE) Awards for Widening their own storyboard for a digital/media for the education sector, but it remained get the most out of the event and access Participation/Outreach Initiative of advertisement aimed at encouraging their a priority for Uni Connect Programmes information to suit their goals and prior the Year for the FutureMe Enterprise male peers to consider higher education across England to continue to support knowledge. The support for students, Challenge programme. Despite the in the North East. In 2019, the winning young people, their parents, and teachers parents/carers, and teachers didn’t stop challenges faced by the sector this year team had their storyboard turned into a 30 and advisers to access high quality, as the week came to an end, with many there were still hundreds of entries made second YouTube advertisement (viewed impartial information to help them make sessions and resources being made so it is an honour to have been shortlisted 46,937 times) and each area winner had informed choices about their futures. available on-demand as well. The last in such a competitive category. their storyboard adapted into a comic At the end of the summer term the North few months have created uncertainty for book which is now being used in schools The FutureMe Enterprise Challenge East Uni Connect Programme delivered a young people and their influencers so across the region. This advertisement is an innovative project created in week of online activity aimed at creating the activities provided an opportunity was launched on North East Live and partnership with the local football club a positive message around progression to create a positive message and to broadcast on Tyne and Wear TV. to higher education, to further support celebrate the achievements of students, education teams (Foundation of Light, students and their key influencers in the parents and teachers, as they have Middlesbrough FC Foundation and Enterprise Challenge provides an lead up to results day 2020. adapted to new ways of working, studying Newcastle United Foundation). It is an immersive experience into higher and making decisions about their futures. intensive 12 week programme which education and related careers and HE Fest 20 saw 16 partner institutions, This event has showcased what is possible utilises the Premier League Enterprise enables us to understand and develop key alongside a number of employers and with online delivery and has provided Programme to inspire young people and messaging created by boys for boys to key sector organisations, come together future opportunities to bring people increase their aspiration and skills and to help redress the low expectation of higher to deliver a range of virtual activities together in the new virtual world – which support informed decisions about higher education progression – capturing the across the week with each day of the the education sector is embracing. education. The programme incorporates learner voice and using it to affect change. festival focussing on one of the learning school focused frameworks such as outcomes from the North East Regional [From the UniTasterDays Teachers the Gatsby Benchmarks; the Careers [From THE Awards Submission 2020] Progression Framework. Guide 2020] Development Institute framework and PSHE/national curriculum.

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The North East Regional Since its launch the North East Progression Framework Regional Progression Framework has A sustained, intensive and progressive been redeveloped to further support programme of interventions has been practitioners in their evaluation of activities shown to have a greater impact in raising by providing sample evaluation questions aspirations and supporting progression for each learning objective, phase and to higher education. The North East audience. The framework has been Regional Progression Framework has endorsed by the Network for Evaluating been designed to support practitioners and Researching University Participation to develop a programme of interventions Interventions (NERUPI) and an additional to help learners and key stakeholders to document has been developed to align understand more about higher education the Regional Progression Framework to in all its forms and how to successfully the NERUPI Framework for pre-application achieve their progression goals. outreach.

Structured across three phases and six learning objectives, the framework can be applied regardless of the learner’s age, prior knowledge, and mode or In addition to this level of study. The North East Regional endorsement the North Progression Framework enables East Regional Progression practitioners to report on the key Framework has also been components of the Ofsted Education recognised by the Careers Inspection Framework, in addition to & Enterprise Company as supporting the basis of a solid careers programme (Benchmark 1), useful for an example of best practice including in monitoring tools such as and has been added to their COMPASS. national resource directory.

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Moving Forwards

The 2020-21 academic year will Should any face-to-face aspects of the CPD Planning for Phase 3 continue to see the FutureMe programme not be possible due to To support teachers and advisers in the The Uni Connect Programme was programme of activity delivered in Covid-19, alternative online activities will 2020-21 academic year Outreach North established by the Office for Students (OfS) 106 target schools and all partner be offered to ensure young people don’t East will deliver a range of FREE online in 2017 as a four year programme, which colleges following a blended miss out on the learning experience. CPD opportunities to provide teachers will come to an end in July 2021. The OfS and advisers with the information and will be conducting a national Consultation model of delivery to suit the Study Buddy App needs of young people during the knowledge to best support their students’ on the future direction of the programme The partnership is redeveloping the current climate. higher education decision making. We beyond this point in January 2021. Study Buddy app, originally created by are delighted to be working with UCAS Sunderland College, the aim of which As part of this Consultation, they will be Passport to FutureMe to deliver a range of sessions which are is to support academic resilience in requesting responses from a wide range of Passport to FutureMe will take place outlined below. students across the region, helping them regional stakeholders. We will provide a during June and July 2021 and will to achieve their future goals. The app will link to this Consultation document on our be an exciting opportunity for year 10 include a study planning tool, articles and website if you or your organisations would students in our FutureMe and Opportunity Month Session worksheets about academic resilience and like to comment. Planning for the next North East target schools. This sustained information and videos about progression January Preparing for the January phase of the programme will take place in programme, running over five weeks, will to higher education. UCAS deadline, Live Q&A April 2021. give young people the opportunity to March Preparing students to explore what it’s really like to be a student choose their options in the North East and to develop their Live Q&A with UCAS understanding of the range of higher education options available. May Are you ready for 21/22? Live Q&A with UCAS Passport to FutureMe will commence with a launch event for participants, June Confirmation and Clearing parents and carers, followed by a thematic programme of content and weekly activities delivered online during July. To encourage engagement, sessions will Passport to FutureMe participants will be The app will launch across be delivered online and will be available assigned an undergraduate Mentor to the region in January 2021 ‘on-demand’. Live Q&A sessions will take support them throughout the programme and will primarily target place in the early morning and content will be made available after the session. and provide a first-hand perspective on learners studying for level 3 In addition to these sessions the Outreach student life. The programme will conclude qualifications. with a day-long celebration event held on North East podcast will be released at campus to allow young people to explore regular intervals during the academic year, the region’s HE offer and celebrate their covering a range of topics and guests. achievements.

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If you have any questions about the contents of this report, or would like to stay informed about our activity please contact us using the channels below.

FutureMe: www.futureme.ac.uk Email: [email protected] Twitter: @futureme_ne Facebook: /futuremenortheast

Outreach North East: www.outreachnortheast.ac.uk Email: [email protected] Twitter: @outreach_ne LinkedIn: Outreach North East