Discover US and US in Schools Mentoring Outreach programmes for pre-16 pupils Key themes • Targeting pupils – where and who? • Learning journey • More about…. • Discover US • US in Schools – Mentoring • Our student ambassadors 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Where do we target pupils? • Local pupils • South Yorkshire • West Yorkshire • Derbyshire • North Nottinghamshire • Schools situated in neighbourhoods with low rates of progression to higher education 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Who do we target? • „Most able, least likely‟ • Previously identified as part of the „Aimhigher‟ cohort • Targeted using the following considerations: . lower socio-economic groups (using a basket of indicators) . minority ethnic groups under-represented in HE . from families that have no experience of HE (first generation to enter HE) . young people with a declared disability . looked after children . personal or family circumstances which have affected aspirations, expectations and potential academic achievement 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield The Learning Journey Discover US Kate Smith-Outreach Activities Officer What’s the presentation about? Discover US • What is it? • What is it trying to do? • Who is it for? • Where does it come from? • What happens on it? • What do our students think about it? 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US: What is it? • A partnership between 9 participating schools and US! • To help students to „Discover US‟ by visiting the University twice a year • For 3 years between Year 9-11 • Meeting young people from other schools • Working with student ambassadors 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US- What is it? 2011-2012 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Total 145 158 51 354 2012-2013 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Total 240 145 158 543 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Barnsley Rotherham Sheffield Wakefield St Michael‟s Clifton Community Chaucer Business Crofton Academy Catholic and Arts College and Enterprise Church of England College* High School* Firth Park Arts and Hemsworth Arts Community College and Community College Fir Vale School Minsthorpe Community College Hinde House School Parkwood Academy Stocksbridge High School *From Autumn 2012 Tapton Secondary 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield School* Discover US.’: What is it trying to do? We want all young people on Discover US to… •Believe that university is within their grasp •Find out what being a student is really like •Make a considered and informed decision about their future •Develop confidence, problem solving skills and their ability to work with others. 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US- Who is it for? Young people in Year 9- Year 11 who… • Have the academic potential to enter Higher Education (5 A*-C at GCSE) • Are the first generation in their immediate family to potentially enter Higher Education 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US- Where does it come from? • Research into school staff and young people‟s views on the kind of outreach programme they wanted • 13 schools took part in face to face surveys • 6 schools provided focus groups of young people 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Question 5 - How enjoyable you think the Elements of the Programme were for your pupils? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Very Enjoyable Enjoyable Quite Not Enjoyable Don't Know Enjoyable Y11 Conference Y10 Parents Evening Y10 Residential Y9 ACE Days 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US.- Where does it come from? From asking young people in focus groups: „What are you worried about?‟ ‘Its not for people like me’ ‘I don’t know much about it’ ‘I can’t afford that kind of money-what if I never pay it back?’ ‘Is there anyone there for you?’ 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US.- Where does it come from? From asking young people in focus groups „What would you like to do?‟ ‘…learn how university is different from school’ ‘…find out what its like to stay in student accommodation’ ‘…Find out what Uni is really like. Do a day in the life of a student-sit in a lecture, go to a lesson as long as it’s not too long or boring!’ ‘…talk to Students who are like us, from the same background…who do lots of different subjects and can tell us about them…’ ‘… do a big task where everyone has to work together to make an end product that we can be proud of’ 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US Activities Programme Y9-The Foundation Stage 1. Launch of Discover US –November 2. „Introduction to US!‟-November/December 3. „The Choice is Yours‟-March Study Skills Activities in School-April 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US.- Activities Programme Y10-The Consolidation Stage 1. „The Student Apprentice‟-November Study Skills Activities in School-April 2. The Student Experience‟-July 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Discover US.- Activities Programme Y11-The Transition Stage 1. „Moving on, Moving up‟-October Ementoring-October-June 2. Celebrate with US-May 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Our Student Ambassadors “Nothing is as exciting as hearing school students talk about their life ambitions. Even if Discover US inspires just one student, I want to be part of it”. 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Feedback about Discover US “The Student Experience was an extremely worthwhile, relevant and informative event. Our students were lucky to have the opportunity to take part” Jan Stewart, Minsthorpe Community College “(Discover US) is a good idea because you get to experience what it is like and I look forward to coming to university now” Samuel Okerenta, student at Hinde House School 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield US in Schools – Mentoring Katie Monach – Outreach Officer Background • Replaced previous government funding from • Aimhigher • Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) • Continues • the delivery of a mentoring scheme targeting mainly 11-16 year old students • the placement of current students in local schools and colleges to act as positive role models and to provide support to young people 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Scheme aims • To raise the aspirations and attainment of young people in local schools through the support and guidance provided by current University of Sheffield students • To provide current University of Sheffield students with the opportunity of working in local schools to develop a range of skills required for careers in the educational/youth sector 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield US in Schools – Mentoring: Models of intervention Face-to-face mentoring In-class support • Student mentors work • Student mentors support with 3-5 young people learning in class • Mix of 1:1 and group • Working with individuals sessions identified by school/college E-mentoring site Brightlinks supports both models of intervention 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Mentoring cycle 1. Getting to know you 2. Establishing rapport 3. Diagnosis 4. Action planning 5. Periodic review 6. Exit strategy 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Face-to-face mentoring model School/College Mentors Mentees City School 9 27 Ecclesfield School 5 29 Fir Vale School 4 27 Handsworth Grange School 4 21 Longley Park Sixth Form College 7 40 Sheffield Springs Academy 5 19 Totals 34 163 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield In-class support model Pupils in classes School/College Mentors (approx.) E-mentees Danum Academy 4 100 - 120 10 Handsworth Grange School 4 100 - 120 14 King Edward VII School and Language College 4 100 - 120 20 Parkwood Academy 7 100 - 120 11 Totals 19 400-480 55 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield A year in the life of USiSM Month Activity September -Cohort identified – pupils informed/invited onto scheme October -Students trained and matched to schools/colleges -Induction visits to schools/colleges November -Sessions with mentees and in-class begin -Parent/Carer information session December -University visit for participating pupils (set up e-mentoring) January -E-mentoring peak period – vacation & examination period Feb-Apr -Sessions continue May -Final sessions -Celebration event 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Mentors work with their mentees to…. • develop and improve their self-worth, motivation, confidence, persistence, application and time management • improve their attitude and application to learning • explore techniques to improve study and revision skills • research and understand range of options when they leave school/college • help them to discover that going on to university is possible, interesting and enjoyable • provide direct experience of what university is like, through positive role models 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Mentee feedback • “I have really enjoyed the scheme because it has really helped me understand what I want to do in life. I think it should be something that runs next year for students like me. “ (Year 9 student, City School) • “Helped me get more interested in uni. Clearer ideas of what I want to do in the future. “ (Year 10 student, Handsworth Grange School) • “Having a mentor helped me get on track with my revision - for my exams.” (Year 12 student, Longley Park 6th Form College) • “The sessions were fun, and contained relevant information.” (Year 11 student, Sheffield Springs Academy) 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Mentee feedback I think I am on target to achieve the best grades that I can 100 90 80 70 Start 60 % 50 40 End 30 20 10 0 Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly Agree nor disagree Disagree 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield Mentee feedback I have a clear idea of what I would like to do in the future 100 90 80 70 Start 60 % 50 40 End 30 20 10 0 Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly Agree nor disagree Disagree 27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield School Coordinator Feedback “The mentoring scheme has opened their eyes to new horizons and this was evidenced by the University visit which for some was a real bonus.” “…..aspirations for Uni/achieving qualifications.