Aimhigher Your pathway to Higher Education

Annual Review 2012 / 2013

Working Together To Make A Difference… Working together to make a difference…

Welcome to the Aimhigher 2012 / 2013 Annual Review.

2012 / 2013 saw Aimhigher consolidate its “Aimhigher made me realise how position as a national exemplar of good practice important this year is, which has in the collaborative delivery and evaluation of made me focus and put more effort work to widen participation in higher education. into work and revision.” Through the continued commitment of our partner schools, colleges and universities we reached out Aimhigher mentee to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and gave them exciting opportunities to realise their potential and the role higher education might play in their future.

Over the last 15 years the cost of higher education has shifted from the state to the individual. Yet over this same period young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have made the journey to and through higher education in increasing numbers, and are now twice as likely to enter higher education than in the late 1990s. We are confident that the work of Aimhigher has played a significant role in this remarkable achievement.

This Annual Review tells the stories of some of the young people we have supported, and recognises the commitment to social mobility of our many partners who, by working together, make Aimhigher possible. Thank you for your continued support.

“Strong, sustained partnership between universities and schools is key to supporting disadvantaged young people on their journey to higher education, and Aimhigher West Midlands is a good example of this. I wish the partnership well in its work to motivate and inspire a new generation of students, because everyone who has the potential to go to higher education should get the support they need to fulfil that potential, whatever their background.” Professor Les Ebdon CBE, Director, Office for Fair Access

1 The Year in Brief

2012 / 2013 was an important year for Aimhigher, as we Schools and colleges across the region responded, commenced work on an ambitious plan to double the with many using Pupil Premium funding to enable number of young people we support by 2014 / 2015. young people to access our programmes. And all Our 4 university partners agreed a series of challenging partners benefited from Aimhigher’s unique cross-sector targets for Aimhigher in their Access Agreements with expertise, coming together at Forums and Conferences the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), the government to enhance their provision of careers guidance. agency charged with ensuring wider and fairer access to higher education.

Aimhigher Mentoring Aimhigher mentors provide face-to-face and on-line support to young people between Year 7 and Year 13. During the year 99 mentors worked UniFest Summer Schools with 503 young people in 22 schools, academies UniFest gave 221 young people a chance to and colleges, delivering more than 5,190 explore study and student life at one of our partner support sessions. universities. In addition, more than 300 parents attended UniFest information evenings, receiving wider information and advice on university options, decisions and finances.

The Healthy Careers Project Developing young people’s awareness of the health and care sector, this project provided information and advice on academic and vocational career pathways to over 360 young people during the year. Importantly, it also gave 45 young people Learning Choices direct contact with healthcare professionals and This service delivered systematic on-line access to work experience placements in the sector. assessments of the learning and career aspirations of over 1,200 young people in 6 schools. Schools used the results to inform curriculum planning, quality improvement and the development and delivery of student support and careers guidance services.

Staff Development, Good Practice and Policy Our website, monthly eBulletins, Aimhigher Forums and conferences bring staff from across the sectors together to review emerging developments and share good practice in higher education information, advice and guidance. Campus Visits, Masterclasses, Careers Over 500 practitioners attended Aimhigher-related Information and Guidance events during the year, and our website attracted • Our 4 universities delivered 316 Masterclass and over 4,000 visitors and 13,500 page views. campus-based events for schools and colleges throughout the year, engaging more than 13,700 young people • Aimhigher universities also attended over 450 school, college and community-based events, providing information and advice on higher education to more than 89,000 young people and parents.

2 Mentoring for success

Aimhigher mentors are current university students who support school or college learners on a weekly basis, typically for between 12 and 15 weeks. The mentors deliver one-to-one and group sessions during the school or college day, and have access to a secure e-mentoring system which provides further contact opportunities and a range of learning and information resources for both mentors and learners. Mentors receive 2 days of intensive training prior to commencing their work, and are supported throughout by their university coordinators and staff in their host school or college.

Aimhigher mentors are role models for young people, and help them by raising their aspirations, improving their study skills, increasing their awareness of higher education and generally supporting their self-esteem, motivation and confidence.

In 2012-2013 over 500 young people from 22 schools and colleges across the West Midlands were supported by 99 Aimhigher mentors. Young people were selected for the scheme because they have the potential to be considering university but come from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities that are under- “My mentoring sessions were represented in higher education. Overall, our mentors very helpful and I learnt absolutely delivered more than 5,100 face-to-face and on-line loads ...about higher education, sessions throughout the year. qualifications, work experience... Evaluating the impact our mentors have is a priority for Due to Aimhigher I am now 110% Aimhigher. The young people taking part are invited sure of my career path.” to complete a questionnaire probing their attitudes towards learning, career planning and higher education at the beginning and end of the programme, and they and their parents are also asked for permission to track their subsequent educational progression.

Year after year the results demonstrate the powerful effect that learner-centred mentoring can have, and 2012 / 2013 was no exception. 318 (63.2%) of the young people involved completed both the pre and post mentoring questionnaires, of which:

• 96.7% felt mentoring had led to improvement in their aspirations • 91.6% felt mentoring had led to improvement in their study skills • 93.5% felt mentoring had led to improvement in their motivation to succeed ’s Victoria Gittings with her • 94.5% felt mentoring had led to improvement in their Aimhigher Mentor of the Year Award. knowledge of higher education • 99% were satisfied or very satisfied with the support they had received. 3 Celebrating University Mentors of the Year University College success Winner Dalal Fara

The Aimhigher Awards in June 2013 highlighted Birmingham City University Winner Habib Ali the tremendous dedication and commitment of our mentors and the change, hope and optimism generated in the young people they Winner Rosina Barrett support. Aimhigher Mentor of the Year Our judges were hugely impressed with the passion, determination and purpose shown by Winner Victoria Gittings Aston University the mentors, and the progress made by their Aimhigher Key Stage 3 Learners of the Year learners, who were now reaching for their full potential. Winner Connor Hilton Smith’s Wood Sports College Runners Up Rebecca Davies Smith’s Wood Sports College Brandon Burbidge-Pitt CTC Kingshurst Nominees Fairoos Salem St Alban’s Academy Khadra Mohammed Khater Ali “Aimhigher has really Raheeb Ali encouraged and motivated me Rhys Chapman to work hard. Because of my Zoe Leigh Lloyd Lode Heath School mentor I got two grades above Hodan Farah Bordesley Green Girls’ School my forecast in a subject that had Aimhigher Key Stage 4 Learners of the Year confused me. Mentoring has Winner Matthew Nuttall Planstbrook School built my confidence.” Runner Up Suzanna Oldsworth Hillcrest School Ayesha Liaqat, Post-16 Learner Nominees Reece Lynch Waverley School Faith Eckersley Lyndon School of the Year, Hafsa Hussain Holy Trinity Catholic Media College Seran Francis Prabjoat Layal Holyhead School Claire Canning CTC Kingshurst Academy Aimhigher Post-16 Learners of the Year

Winner Ayesha Liaqat Swanshurst School Runner Up Lucy Edwards Planstbrook School Nominees Lorna Hill Smith’s Wood Sports College Below: Ayesha Liaqat receiving her award from Jack Walkley School leading motivational speaker Jackson Ogunyemi.

4 UniFest 2013

UniFest is a key element of Aimhigher’s programme. In June and July 2013 our 4 universities delivered 6 UniFest events, giving 221 young people from 33 schools and colleges the chance to taste, test and try university life and study. UniFest events explored Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, the performing and culinary arts, event management and general higher education options. Student Ambassadors, academics and university guidance staff enriched all aspects of UniFest, with team building activities, personal challenges and social events making the whole experience exciting, fun and memorable. Changing perceptions

University summer schools are highly effective aspiration and attainment raising activities1, and UniFest is no exception. At the end of the programme: “Throughout the whole • 94.5% of participants felt more motivated to succeed experience I have learnt so in education much and will not forget it.” • 96% felt they understood what life at university would be like, up from 74% pre-UniFest • 89% felt university was “for people like me”, up from 79% pre-UniFest • 90% felt they knew enough to decide about higher education, up from 78% pre-UniFest. Reaching out

Like all Aimhigher activities UniFest is targeted at young people from families with no experience of higher education, and those who face barriers to progression. Of the 2013 UniFest cohort, 44% were in receipt of free school meals, 78% came from families with no parental HE experience and 7% were in care or disabled. 71% were from black or minority ethnic backgrounds.

5 1 Aimhigher summer schools: Participants and progression to higher education, HEFCE December 2010 UniFest 2013 “You should have more events like this. It’s a great opportunity for youngsters like us.”

“UniFest opened my eyes to higher education.”

6 Healthy Careers!

Longer life expectancy, new treatments and an Healthy Work Experience ageing workforce mean we need to encourage young people to consider careers in the health Through partnerships with HealthTec and a number sector and NHS, Europe’s largest employer of trusts, the project gave 45 young people week- and one that offers a rewarding, fulfilling and long work experience placements supported by life-long career. professionals from health, fire and police services. The students undertook many activities, including hands-on first aid, hygiene and infection control, a Meet the Professionals simulated “patient journey” and the use of a mock bungalow to experience how health professionals The Healthy Careers project helps young people deliver care to people in their own home. Students appreciate the diverse range of career opportunities gained valuable insights and developed key skills in the sector, and can open new pathways for in communication and team working. At the end of students interested in the health sector with their placement 76% of students felt they had a good concerns about the highly competitive entry routes understanding of the careers available in the sector, to careers in medicine or dentistry. “Meet the compared to just 28.6% at the start. Professionals” events bring practicing health care professionals into schools, to give students the opportunity to ask questions and hear what it really is like to work in the sector. During the year over 300 students met physiotherapists, pathologists, “I have learnt a lot about the roles psychologists, medical students, chiropodists and and responsibilities of different nurses working in adult care, children’s care and district nursing, gaining a better understanding of healthcare professionals.” what a career looking after people would entail.

“This week has helped me in my plight to decide whether medicine is the career for me.” 7 Informing Policy…Supporting Good Practice

Supporting education and guidance professionals In November 2012 the Department for Business, has always been an important aspect of our work, Innovation and Skills (BIS) asked HEFCE and OFFA and significant changes in national policy in 2012 to formulate a new National Strategy for Access / 2013 meant local, regional and national demand and Student Success, and Aimhigher was quick for Aimhigher’s cross-sector expertise and policy to engage in its development. The partnership perspective was high. submitted compelling evidence of the success and effectiveness of collaborative outreach work with 120 delegates from 87 schools, colleges, universities young people, and of the importance of robust and guidance agencies attended the 11th annual evaluation to demonstrate impact. Our evidence was Aimhigher conference in April 2013. Exploring the included in the initial report to BIS and Aimhigher was theme “Working together to meet the challenge” subsequently invited to contribute to a number of contributors included Steve Stewart OBE, Chair of discussions with senior officials leading the strategy’s Careers , Professor Paul Redmond, President development. of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), UCAS, the National Apprenticeship Service, Student Loan Company, WHICH University, local universities and young people involved in Aimhigher’s award winning mentoring scheme. 95% of delegates rated the day as “very useful” or “useful”, and none as “not useful”.

Aimhigher also contributed to several national events including The Student Loan Company’s regional conference, the Warwick “Universities Summit” 2013, the Action on Access / UUK “Evidence-based Access Agreements” conference, The Higher Education Academy Social Mobility conference and several local authority seminars and briefings. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and International Centre for Guidance Studies showcased our collaboration and evaluation work in their Higher Education Outreach Good Practice Toolkits. Faith Eckersley from Lyndon School tells our April conference about her experience as an Aimhigher mentee.

During the summer term Aimhigher helped The Bar “Relevant information, Council launch its first ever regional Placement Week good networking, fantastic in Birmingham. This gave students from state schools the opportunity to shadow practicing barristers in speakers… superb, insightful their work and learn how to present arguments in and down to earth.” court. Taryn Lee QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Social Mobility Committee, said “The Bar Placement Week is a fantastic opportunity for students who would not otherwise have the chance to experience life at the Bar. I am delighted that we have now set up a Placement Week in Birmingham, and grateful to Aimhigher for their support”.

At many levels and through many channels, Aimhigher worked throughout the year to ensure current practice is effective, and future policy well informed.

8 Evaluation and Research

Aimhigher’s long-term PhD linked evaluation of the impact of our work moved forward throughout the year, and reached an important milestone as the first “Aimhigher’s contribution to our cohort of young people in our research study reached evidence event was informative, pertinent the age of 18 or 19. With their consent, and that of and useful…Your considerable knowledge, their parents or carers, we were able to compare their enthusiasm and ability to get right to the progression to higher education with that of young people from similar backgrounds, adding to the already heart of things helped everyone work compelling evidence of the positive impact involvement better with a daunting subject.” in Aimhigher can have on the aspiration and GCSE Andrew Rawson, Director, Action on Access attainment of less advantaged young people.

The results are very encouraging: • 43.7% of the Aimhigher learners tracked via UCAS These finding chime with the wealth of quantitative data had applied for a place. This far exceeds and qualitative data we have amassed that local, regional and national rates for learners from demonstrates the impact Aimhigher can have on backgrounds that make it less likely for them to follow young people who, after experiencing our the pathway to higher education programmes: • 84.9% of these applicants received offers of a place, • Have a better understanding of their post 16 4% to 5% more than local, regional and national learning/careers choices and the importance of rates. This suggests that Aimhigher learners are also GCSE’s and HE when in Year 9 and 10 well prepared and suitably qualified as they compete • Have more positive aspirations about post-16 for a place in higher education learning and more confidence in their ability to enter • The Aimhigher cohort is both geographically and and cope with learning in HE when in Year 11 socially mobile. 45% accepted places at universities • Often attain between 1.5 and 3 grades above their outside the West Midlands and 16.2% at Russell predicted GCSE results, depending on the nature of Group universities, compared to a national average their Aimhigher experiences of 8%. • Are far more likely to progress to Level 3 study at 16, and far less likely to become NEET.

9 Aimhigher Learner Destinations Accepted places at 54.7% West Midland universities

Accepted places at Aimhigher 24% partner universities

Accepted places at Russell 16.2% Group universities

Northern Scotland

Eastern 1.1% Scotland

Western 1.1% Scotland North East Northern England Ireland 4.1% Yorkshire & Isle of Man Humberside North West 7.1% England 2.3% Merseyside East Midlands 1.5% West Midlands 6.7% East of 4.5% England 54.7% Wales London 5.6% South East South West 6.8% England England

4.5%

Source: Aimhigher / Commissioned UCAS data for Aimhigher learners aged 18 and 19 applying for and accepting a full-time undergraduate place commencing 2012. 10

Aimhigher would like to thank the following organisations and institutions for their support during 2012 / 2013:

Abraham Darby Academy Lode Heath School Action on Access Ludlow Church of England School AGCAS Lyndon School Alderbrook Leading Edge School and Arts College National Apprenticeship Service Arden School ; An Academy Aston University Office for Fair Access School; A Specialist Technology and Sports College Saltley School and Specialist Science College Shireland Collegiate Academy Birmingham City University Skills for Health Birmingham Looked After Children’s Education Service Small Heath School Black County Partnership for Learning Smith’s Wood Sports College Bordesley Green Girls’ School and 6th Form Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council & 6th Form Centre Solihull Looked After Children’s Education Service The Brightside Trust South and City College Birmingham Broadway School St Alban’s Academy Careers England St Edmund Campion Catholic School ; A Specialist Sports & Sixth Form Centre and Science College STEMNET Birmingham and Solihull The Community College, Bishop’s Castle Student Loans Company George Salter Academy Swanshurst School Golden Hillock School; A Specialist College for Sport The Bar Council School The Progression Trust Heart of England NHS Trust The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust Higher Education Academy The University of Birmingham Higher Education Funding Council for England Tudor Grange Academy Worcester Hillcrest School; Specialist Maths and Computing College and Sixth Form Centre Turves Green Boys’ School UCAS Holy Trinity Catholic Media and Arts College Universities UK Holyhead School University College Birmingham Waverley School Kent and Medway Progression Federation West Midlands Care Leavers Network CTC Kingshurst Academy WHICH University Kineton High School Light Hall School Specialist Mathematics and Computing College Find out more about Aimhigher and how it can help your students achieve their potential. Visit www.aimhigherwm.ac.uk Email [email protected] Telephone 0121 415 8176