Examples of links between Russell Group universities and local schools and colleges

Examples of links between Russell Group universities and
                     local schools and colleges
The Russell Group’s deep-rooted commitment to improving the life chances of those from
under-represented backgrounds in higher education can be seen in the variety of projects
linking our universities to local schools, colleges and academies. The following are some
examples of best practice from Russell Group universities in partnering with local schools,
colleges and academies, in an effort to raise aspirations, improve attainment and widen
participation further.

University of Birmingham

The University is a member of the Birmingham and Solihull Aimhigher Partnership along
with Aston, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and local schools
and colleges. More information can be found at www.aimhigherwm.ac.uk

The university recruits, trains and supports a team of undergraduates to work in local
schools and colleges, providing one-to-one mentoring support for pupils in Years 9-13.

Forward Thinking is a programme for groups of local schools. Each year the schools
involved select five Year 8 Gifted and Talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds to
take part in a programme of activity through to Year 11. They are encouraged to think about
their future education and career path in order to make informed decisions about
progression to university, and to help motivate them to succeed at school and achieve. This
programme has a particular focus on progression to selective institutions such as the
University of Birmingham and other Russell Group universities, and giving participants an
idea of what academic study and student life might be like.

University of Bristol

The Merchants’ Academy is an 11-19 school co-sponsored by the University of Bristol. The
Academy is comprehensive in intake and provides a high level of extra-curricular activities.
Strong links with the University and businesses in the City will also provide unique learning
opportunities for students. The goal is a school that will cater for over 900 pupils and provide
a strong focus on learning and achievement.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge Area Links Scheme was established in 2000 to enable the
Cambridge Colleges to build effective, coherent relationships with schools and colleges right
across the country. Every area of the UK is now linked with a College. For example, Clare
College is linked with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, where the Partnership for
Schools initiative was launched in 2000, supported by KPMG, Clifford Chance and Morgan
Stanley. Its aim is to encourage pupils to raise their expectations, and aim for the best in
higher education. Partnership activities are offered for pupils at every stage of education,
from primary school to Sixth Form, and focus on supporting learning skills and helping pupils
gain confidence in their potential. Clare arranges events throughout the year, providing
practical information about university education, interview training and mentoring along with

                                                                        The Russell Group of Universities
                                                                                www.russellgroup.ac.uk

opportunities to meet current students and take part in specialist classes.
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/access/arealinks/#

University of Edinburgh

The Beath & Newbattle Residential School is a week-long residential University
experience for S2 (Year 9 equivalent) students from two local priority schools with low
progression to higher education located in ex-mining communities. Students have subject
taster workshops in the morning followed by social activities in the afternoon and evening.
The week raises aspirations for Higher Education (HE), gives students an insight into the
range of subjects available, and counters misconceptions in both students and their families
regarding HE and the University of Edinburgh http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-
departments/student-recruitment/widening-participation/projects/other/easter-school

Reach is a project funded by the Scottish Funding Council involving five partner universities
(the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Glasgow, University of
Edinburgh, University of St Andrews) and 17 new partner schools in the Scottish Borders
and Forth Valley. This collaborative approach allows pupils to experience more than one
university environment. The project delivers workshops on-campus to allow pupils with no
'local' university to experience a campus environment, as well as in-house activities
delivered in target schools to bring the expert knowledge and guidance to the local
communities. Teachers are supported via ongoing staff development sessions and Reach
aims to develop and deliver relevant activities for pupils, teaching staff and parents wherever
possible. www.ed.ac.uk/student-recruitment/widening-participation/reach.

University of Glasgow

The GOALS Project (Greater Opportunity of Access and Learning with Schools) provides
opportunities for school pupils from ages 10 to 18 to learn about higher education. Targeted
at schools in the local area with low rates of participation in higher education, the project
aims to encourage pupils towards achievement at school, progression to higher education,
completion of their degree course and a rewarding career.

Imperial College London

INSPIRE (“Innovative Scheme for Postgraduates in Research and Education”) places
top postgraduate scientists from a Physics, Chemistry or Engineering background, into
classrooms to bring science to life. INSPIRE is a full-time nine-and-a-half month PGCE
programme starting in September, working with partner schools in and around London. The
scheme combines teacher training with the INSPIRE activities that students can use
throughout their placements, ranging from demonstration lectures, science clubs or master
classes to university visits and careers talks.

The Pimlico Connection, which began in 1975 at Pimlico School, is a peer-tutoring scheme
in which students and recent graduates can tutor once a week on a Wednesday afternoon
between November and March. Each year, 80 to 100 students volunteer in 20 to 25 local
state primary and secondary schools. The scheme is one of the longest peer-tutoring
programmes and has won awards nationally for its longevity and contribution to outreach.

King’s College London

Through the College’s Shine programme, more than one hundred student volunteers help to
raise aspirations and achievements of children in a number of London schools. The Star
programme provides homework support to children of families seeking refuge or asylum in
London who are moving from primary to secondary school.

University of Leeds

Four Education Engagement Clusters (Health, STEM, Arts and Social Sciences) provide co-
ordinated aspiration and attainment raising activities for nearly 400 schools and colleges.
The focal points of the year round programme are subject specific summer schools
(nanotechnology, engineering, biosciences) and large scale ‘Festivals’. The Leeds Festival
of Sciences reaches over 5000 young people and their teachers and the Festival of Arts is
developing each year. These activities are supplemented by, amongst other things, the
provision of study skills and information, advice and guidance.

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is co-sponsoring a number of Academy and Trust Schools
including the North Liverpool Academy, providing investment as well as services that
include professional development for staff, summer school places for students and
bursaries. Granada Learning will also provide the Academy with books and curriculum
software.

The Professor Fluffy Primary Programme works with young people aged 9-11 years in
target primary schools across Greater Merseyside, aiming to inform primary children and
their families about the educational opportunities available to them. There are two delivery
models including a roadshow model delivered as a single intervention in a classroom setting
and curriculum based model delivered at the University of Liverpool. The two models aim to
provide children with an insight in to university life, raise awareness, aspirations and
motivation and introduce the vocabulary of higher education.

London School of Economics and Political Science

The LSE’s Student Shadowing Scheme aims to widen participation from state schools and
colleges across the UK, in addition to LSE’s summer school and student tutoring
programme, targeting local London schools. Students considering applying to LSE or who
have applied are matched with a current student ambassador in their prospective course of
study. The ambassadors guide prospective students, giving them one-on-one support during
the application process and providing them with advice afterwards. This allows students from
state schools and colleges to have a partner throughout the process and to encourage them
to enter higher education.

University of Manchester

As part of its widening participation and social responsibility strategy the university is working
to increase the number of staff who are governors in local schools. A new School Governor
Initiative provides opportunities for staff across the University to become Local Authority or

Community Governors in local schools, working closely with the charity School Governors’
One Stop Shop (SGOSS).

The University’s School of Education has developed innovative and supportive partnerships
with several Teaching School Alliances across the local region, which has increased and
deepened the institution’s collaboration with schools on a range of projects. Secondary
PGCE activities have included working collectively on Teaching Agency funded research
and development activities, for example on the teaching of Mathematics in schools.
Collaboration has also facilitated the opportunity for University tutors to work in schools on a
regular basis both in relation to teaching, CPD and research.

The Manchester Higher programme is a joint initiative between The University of Manchester
and Manchester Metropolitan University providing learners in targeted schools across
Greater Manchester with high quality higher education awareness raising activities.

Newcastle University

Through the PARTNERS programme the University has developed links with over 120
schools and colleges across the North East, Cumbria and Yorkshire, in order to encourage
able students from all backgrounds to consider higher education. PARTNERS offers a
programme of activities and opportunities, culminating in a supported entry route into
Newcastle University for students from PARTNERS schools and colleges.

Identified schools in the North East have the opportunity for selected pupils to work with
current undergraduate students through the Newcastle University Mentoring Scheme.
Mentors work with the pupils on a structured programme of interactive sessions designed to
engage and motivate them in considering their future options. This involves a mixture of
face-to-face activity in school and on campus and online communication via e-mentoring.
Mentors start working with pupils in Year 9 and follow them through to Year 11.

Schools in the North East have the opportunity to have a current undergraduate student
work alongside teachers and offer support in the classroom. Students are available to work
in schools for up to 70 hours across the academic year as part of their undergraduate
degree programme. The Student Tutors will act as positive role models, supporting learners
with their studies and helping to raise their aspirations.

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham has 43 partner secondary schools to which it delivers about
150 activities for over 6,000 pupils aged 11-16 each year. These partner schools are roughly
within commuting distance of the University and include high proportions of learners from
groups underrepresented in HE. The activities are delivered both in the school and on the
University’s campuses, cover topics such as choosing GCSE options choice and study skills;
and involve interviews with current University students. The work is supplemented by an
expanding range of academic taster and revision sessions.

The University of Nottingham co-sponsors the University of Nottingham Samworth
Academy. In 2011, 44% of pupils achieved at least 5A*-C GCSEs (including Maths and
English), making NUSA the most improved school in Nottingham.

The Students in Classrooms programme, run in partnership with Nottingham Trent
University, sees students placed in local primary and secondary schools. This includes the

Teacher Associate scheme, through which students provide additional support in the
classroom environment, working with individuals or the class as a whole to facilitate learning,
and the Inspire Mentor scheme, which matches students to targeted learners.

Teacher Fellowships provide secondary and post-16 teachers with the funds and
opportunity for teacher release and a supportive framework in which to lead an ambitious
project to improve an aspect of life in the school’s local community.

University of Oxford

Regional Outreach – As part of the University of Oxford’s ongoing commitment to engage
with schools, each Oxford college is linked to a local authority to ensure that each school
has a first point of contact within the University. www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/regionalisation

Queen Mary, University of London

The Undergraduate shadowing programme pairs Year 12 and 13 students from selected
schools with a student ambassador over the course of a year. Two key partner schools are
Drapers Academy and St Paul’s Way Trust School, which are developing new sixth forms.
School students shadow the Queen Mary undergraduates in lectures and seminars and gain
insight into undergraduate teaching and learning methods.

Queen Mary students are placed as tutors in primary and secondary schools in Tower
Hamlets, an area of high social and economic deprivation. Queen Mary students also work
as mentors in schools and colleges in east London.

The Year 10 Masterclasses programme involves secondary schools in east and north
London. Students work with academic staff on activities and topics that stretch them beyond
the established GCSE syllabus. Subjects include English, chemistry, history, Japanese,
physics and mathematics.

University of Sheffield

The University has formed strong relationships with local schools and colleges over a
number of years. In addition to the university’s range of outreach programmes, which
typically target young people in the Sheffield City/Region, there are also opportunities for
school and college staff to engage with the University on an ongoing basis, including a
termly e-newsletter, regular consultation events chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, events for
local schools such as Secondary Heads groups, and the HE Progression Partnership,
building on arrangements established under Aimhigher.

University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is working in partnership with five local Midlands schools as they
move to Trust status, and the Grace Academy Coventry. This follows a commitment in the
new University Strategy to supporting the Trust Schools Programme. Warwick has built and
will continue to develop long-standing relationships with local schools and colleges.

University of Warwick has developed the Student Progression Team in collaboration with
Coventry University, placing current university students in a small number of schools and

colleges across the Coventry and Warwickshire region. The scheme is designed to support
school and college students from disadvantaged backgrounds at key decision points with the
aim of encouraging progression to higher education. Ambassadors will act as mentors to a
small group of school students, providing encouragement and support as they move from
Year 9 through to Year 11. The project will break down barriers to learning, inspire goal
setting and provide information to those considered able to progress to Higher Education.

University of York

York Students in Schools (YSIS) harnesses the expertise and enthusiasm of the
University’s students to help and add value to to local schools. Running for 16 years, around
600 students a year take up a 10 week placement involving 10 half-day sessions. Student
activity ranges from classroom assistance to sharing their curriculum subject knowledge.
These student role models work with pupils of all ages, from pre-school to sixth form.