The North East Uni Connect Programme Annual Review 2019 – 2020 Universities Durham University Newcastle University Northumbria University Teesside University University of Sunderland Colleges Bishop Auckland College City of Sunderland College Darlington College Derwentside College East Durham College Gateshead College Hartlepool College of Further Education Middlesbrough College Newcastle College New College Durham 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) 2 | FUTUREME.AC.UK OUTREACHNORTHEAST.AC.UK | 3 THE NORTH EAST UNI CONNECT PROGRAMME ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 – 2020 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. 4 | FUTUREME.AC.UK OUTREACHNORTHEAST.AC.UK | 5 THE NORTH EAST UNI CONNECT PROGRAMME ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 – 2020 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. 6 | FUTUREME.AC.UK OUTREACHNORTHEAST.AC.UK | 7 THE NORTH EAST UNI CONNECT PROGRAMME ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 – 2020 FE