Aspire Programme

The Aspire Programme

at Worthing College

What is the Aspire Programme? The Aspire Programme offers additional support and guidance to high achieving students at Worthing College who are aiming to secure places at the more competitive universities and/or on highly competitive courses.

The Aspire Programme

Which universities are more competitive?There is no set list of competitive universities, but it includes the “Russell Group” of universities – Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Imperial, Kings, Leeds, Liverpool, LSE, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Queen’s Belfast, Queen Mary London, Oxford, Sheffield, Southampton, UCL, Warwick and York. Locally, Sussex University is also very competitive. These universities, and several others, require high grades for entry to all their courses.

Who is the Aspire programme for?Students who have achieved at least 5 As at GCSE are invited to join the programme.

Why do high-achieving students need something extra?Entry to competitive university courses often requires more than just good advanced A Levels, and the Aspire programme aims to help students make the right choice, and to support them through the application process.

Doctors and vets of the future

Team building exercise - the winners!

• Open Day trips to various universities • Access to university based workshops (eg

at Nottingham and Sussex universities) and summer schools (eg Sutton Trust schools at Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol and Nottingham)

• Support through subject specialists at Worthing College

• Practical work experience (eg at Worthing Hospital for medics and physiotherapy, placements in schools, crown courts for law students) and voluntary work.

What do students say about the Aspire programme?“The programme has fuelled my endeavour to study at a competitive university, with lecture visits to universities providing a glimpse of the opportunities available to aspiring students.” Ivan Croydon Veleslavov

“Without your assistance with UCAS I would never have been able to reach the stage I managed with my Oxford application”. Amy Rowson

Jason Wadey, who went on the Cambridge open day visit, said “Talking to Cambridge students really helps you to get a feel for what university life is like. The visit was really useful. If you are going to spend several years in a place you need to see it first.”

What support is available?The role of the Aspire Coordinator (Antony Allchin) supports high achieving students at Worthing College. In addition to the general support offered to all students in the college, the Aspire Programme offers:

• A programme of “stretch and challenge” activities including lectures, debates and seminars to take students beyond their A Level courses.

Also:• Support in completing early applications –

essential for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine and Veterinary Science, advantageous for all competitive courses at many universities

• Support in completing high quality applications (eg one-to-one support with personal statements)

• Support in making the right choices through one-to-one advice and excellent careers resources.

• Support in preparing for entrance tests (eg for medicine and law)

• Support for the Extended Project qualification

• Practice interviews• Organised trips and conferences• Oxford and Cambridge University

Conference at the Epsom Downs Racecourse • Medical Conference run by Worthing

College at Worthing Hospital

Engaged scholarsA taste of university-style learning

What is the Extended Project?The Extended Project is an exploration of a topic or question in some depth. It is a major piece of individual project work in which you will have the opportunity to investigate a topic that is of particular interest to you. The project can be presented in one of four ways: a written report, a laboratory or fieldwork investigation, a work of art, or a performance.

What is the qualification worth?The Extended Project is equivalent to an AS Level (half an A Level). It is graded A* to E. The qualification is recognised and highly valued by universities.

What are the benefits of doing the Extended Project?Completing an Extended Project will help you to develop many skills which are important for success in Higher Education. These skills include independent learning, investigative skills, written and oral communication, critical thinking and project management. In addition you will have the opportunity to extend your knowledge and depth of understanding of a topic or theme that you are particularly interested in, which will probably be linked to one or more of your AS/A Level subjects and/or to your likely degree subject or career aspiration. Universities look very favourably on students who achieve this qualification, and it provides an excellent focus for interview questions and for students to write about in their UCAS personal statements.

Is it only for Aspire Students?No, but it is aimed at high achieving and strongly motivated students, so many of the students taking the project will be part of the Aspire Programme.

Do all Aspire Students have to do the Extended Project?No, it is completely optional.

The Extended ProjectHow do I get involved?You do not have to sign up for the Extended Project at the start of the year. Further information will be provided mainly through the Aspire Programme during the first two terms to help you decide whether or not you want to complete a project.

Some examples of projects carried out by our students last year• What are the ethical implications of embryo

screening and where will it take us?• To what extent can the visual arts be useful to

historians studying attitudes to the two world wars?• To what extent can biofuels lead us to a more

sustainable future?

What do Universities say about the Extended project?‘“We certainly welcome students who have undertaken the EPQ, as it provides an excellent introduction to the type of work they will be expected to do at university. It encourages development in all the skills required of our undergraduates, such as research, analysis, independent work and thought, and the ability to communicate ideas.”Southampton University.

“We welcome the introduction of the Extended project and would encourage you to take one, as it will help you develop independent study and research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher education.” Cambridge University

Further information from: Antony Allchin, Aspire Coordinator: a.allchin@worthing.ac.uk

01903 243389 info@worthing.ac.ukwww.worthing.ac.uk

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