Outreach and Widening Participation at University of Hertfordshire

Emma GreeningDeputy Head, UK Recruitment and Access

Situation up to 2011

• 23 AimHigher schools in Hertfordshire – all activities funded by AimHigher

• Team of 3 AimHigher staff dealing with AimHigher schools

• All other schools in Hertfordshire and beyond covered by 2 (fte) Recruitment/Project Officers

• Most activities funded by University of Hertfordshire (exception = Year 9 days)

• Wide range of activities from Year 9 to Year 13

Question: How have you worked with the University in the past?

2011 onwards…

• AimHigher funding ends 31st July 2011

• 6 former AimHigher schools have entered into a partnership with UH

• One ‘Outreach’ team replaces separate AimHigher and Recruitment Teams, some personnel changes

• Dedicated STEM Outreach Officer, dedicated Law Outreach Officer

• Continue to offer varied range of activities

• To consult with a diverse group of teaching staff. This includes those accessing the Outreach team’s programme, and those who do not

• To assess and evaluate the programme offered by the Outreach team at the University of Hertfordshire

• To identify gaps in provision

• To assess budget spend from schools in preparing their students for Higher Education

• Challis-Dixey Associates conducted one focus group with 13 members of staff from across the region. A series of structured phone interviews with 8 members of teaching staff shortly followed. In total, 21 members of staff were consulted.

Evaluation of Outreach ActivitiesAims of the evaluation

Evaluation of Outreach ActivitiesWhat has been delivered in the past

• ‘Why go to University’ activities• Student finance information and events• 6th form open evening for parents• Interview practice with students• Careers events• PSHE days• Emma Greening visits• Aim Higher• Student ambassadors• Workshops including; EPQ, Diploma tasters and master classes• Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) including: school visits and talks,

guidance for schools, careers fairs and open days

Question: What activities would you like to see in the future?

Evaluation of Outreach ActivitiesWhat the focus group would like to see

• Independent study lessons• Lecturer attending a normal school lesson and teaching as if at University • Subject specific taster days on campus, meeting with students studying that

subject• Support for teachers and parents on understanding student finances and what

the University of Hertfordshire can offer• Revision support, led by students• University interview practice and support• Online support, including question and answer sessions with students, lecturers

and student finance• Information, advice and guidance to sixth-formers

• Video: youtube sites cannot be accessed by schools. Videos should be sent on a DVD to schools with accompanying PowerPoint presentation and lesson plan. If sent with subtitles, these can be played on displays around the schools

• Programme of events: should be sent at the beginning of the school year. Should be web-based, email and booklet

• Targeted communication: the Outreach team should speak to the careers coordinator and head of 6th form

• Poster: 6th form common room posters are easy to distribute and popular with students

• Face to face: meetings with key schools should be arranged at the beginning of the school year to agree what support they might need

 

• It should be up to us to find out ourselves

Evaluation of Outreach ActivitiesHow do you want the Outreach team to communicate with you?

Outreach Activities 2011-2012Type No. students Costs Type of intervention Examples

Talks Unlimited 3 free to each school. £120 per session thereafter.

Information and aspirationalParents and students

Why go to University?Choosing your University and CourseUCAS Applications and Personal StatementsStudent FinanceParents’ talk covering choices, applications and financeRevision SkillsUniversity Learning Skills

Student Ambassador talks

Unlimited Charged at cost to us.

Information and AspirationStudents, any year group

Student Life talkPreparing for university

Workshops Maximum 30 1 free to each school. £250 per half day thereafter.

Interactive workshopsYears 10 -13Information and Skills

Independent Living, Interview Skills, Goal Setting, Study Skills, Revision Skills

Year 9 Days Maximum 200 £12 per head. Inspirational and funYear 9

Includes a campus tour and opportunity to see the accommodation

Campus visit Maximum 100 1 free per school. £20 per head thereafter.

Motivation and information Choose a combination of talks and activities

STEM Fair Maximum 60 per school

TBA Subject focused IAGMotivational

A carousel of interactive STEM exhibitions and workshops

Subject taster days

Maximum 30 £10-£20 per head depending on our costs

Subject focused IAGMotivational

Range of different options

Thanks for your attention

e.greening@herts.ac.uk01707 289391