access partner programme

Access Partnership ProgrammeSupporting Access into Higher Education

B031011-Access Partner Programme A5_Layout 1 26/10/2011 10:36

Contents

2 >> The University of Bedfordshire >> www.beds.ac.uk

Welcome 3

University of Bedfordshire Access Partnership Programme 4

Access Partnership Programme (APP) 6

Access Partnership Associate Scheme 8

Years 4-6, Sowing the Seed 10

Years 7-11, Reach your Goal 12

Years 12-13, Your Next Step to Uni 14

Summer Schools 16

Uni-que Support for You and Yours 18

Access Students 20

Foundation Degree Students 24

Specialist Programmes 26

Find out more:To find out more about these activities and how we can support your school/sixthform or college, please contact the Schools Liaison Team at:[email protected].

Access Partnership Team:Steve KendallDirector of Widening ParticipationTel: 01582 743450Email Access team at: [email protected]


www.beds.ac.uk >> The University of Bedfordshire >> 3

Welcome

We have designedthis programme to support yourlearners’ attainmentand progression. We want to build a partnership withyou to achieve this.

transforming livessupporting transitionscreating success


University of BedfordshireAccess Partnership Programme


It is a matter of the highest strategic importance tothe University that we maintain and improve upon our strong track record for widening access. Our keygroups for wider access are learners from the localarea; from the lower socio-economic groups, fromneighbourhoods with low rates of participation inhigher education, from black and minority ethnicgroups that are similarly under-represented and fromvulnerable groups such as young people leaving care.We seek to widen access to higher education forlearners with disabilities and recognise this as a keyfeature of our widening participation strategy.

The promotion of higher education opportunities is part of our responsibility as a University. We are the only University in Bedfordshire recruiting significantnumbers of undergraduate students and the only higher education option in many local towns. Our contribution to widening participation is therefore of criticalimportance and we will work with schools, colleges, local authorities, careersservices and others to promote the benefits of participation in higher education.

We work successfully with other providers of higher education, especially those in our locality and region, to develop a coherent approach to widening participationpractice, to ensure that what we do has the maximum impact. By so doing, we seekto increase opportunity, build cultural capital, raise skills and enhance employability.

To these ends we have designed the Access Partnership Programme, described inthis brochure. The Access Partnership Programme has a number of key elements.These are:



Sowing the Seeds – Years 4, 5, and 6A ‘primary school’ engagement programme, focused on primary age learners in the schools most local to the University’s main campuses. This will aim to establish, at an early age, the aspiration to participate in higher education.

Reach your Goal – Years, 8, 9 and 10A learner engagement framework for schools. This will take the form of acoherent, progressive programme of activity for learners, comprising taster days,support for year 9 option choices and Aim 4 Your Future days, helping year 10’sthink about career pathways,

Your Next Step to Uni – Years 12 and 13A learner engagement framework for schools and colleges, comprising adviceabout UCAS, student finance and preparing for University life, opportunities forstudent shadowing and summer schools. There is a specific version of this part of the programme designed for Access Students.

Access Partnership Associate Scheme – Years, 8 to 13A mentoring programme for learners in schools and colleges which will allocatelearners to an undergraduate ‘Associate’ who will support learners to progressthrough school or college and into higher education.

This brochure introduces the various elements of the Access PartnershipProgramme and invites you and your learners to participate. I hope that you will find it useful and I look forward to working with you.

Steve KendallAssociate Dean, Partnerships and Director of Widening Participation



Access Partnership Programme(APP)

The Access Partnership Programme (APP) is aUniversity of Bedfordshire initiative that builds upon the success of the Aimhigher Learner ProgressionFramework. The purpose of the APP is to ensure thecontinued provision of Widening Participation outreachactivities for partner schools and colleges.

The programme has been designed to support learners through the key transitionphases within the compulsory and post-compulsory educational sectors. The mainfocus will be to continue to work on raising young people’s awareness andaspirations towards further and higher education, in an effort to complement theircareer interests and life goals.

The continued development of relationships with schools and colleges will allowthe creation of bespoke activities to meet the needs of individual institutions andtheir respective learners.

In addition to learner engagement, the APP will support parents, teachers andother stakeholders in response to the changing education landscape.



Access PartnershipProgramme

Years

4–6

Years

7–11

Year

12Year

13Access

FD / UG

•Aim

4 Uni Days – Years 8 –10

•Year 9 Options

•Access Pa

rtne

rship Associate

activ

ities

•Targeted

Sum

mer Schoo

ls

•Considering and Exp

eriencing HE

•Vo

cational Days

•Subject Specific & Targeted

Summer

Schools

•Access Partnership Associate activities

•Making a successful UCAS app

lication

•Prep

aring for un

iversity life

•Stude

nt Finan

ce & M

oney M

atters

•Inform

ation, Adv

ice & Guida

nce on

HE Fina

nce,

Options & UCAS

•Access Pa

rtne

rship Associate activities

•Stude

nt Sha

dowing

•Targeted

Sum

mer Schoo

ls

•Sowing the

Seed Event

•Access Event

•Access Sum

mer

Schoo

l

•BREO

training

•E men

toring

•Access associate

activ

ities

•Stude

ntshad

owing

•Uni visits/lectures

•Summer Schools

•PA

D PALS

•Careers talks

•Motivational talks

•Networking

even

ts

•Pilo

t Men

toring

Schem

e

•E m

entoring


Access Partnership AssociateScheme

Our trained Access Partnership Associates are a part of all our outreach activities, in schools, colleges oruniversity campuses.

The Associates are undergraduate students and their experiences provide a vitalinsight to our learners.

The Associates inspire through their dedication, passion and positive attitude toguide learners with their future plans. All Associates are CRB checked. They attendregular training and briefing meetings to ensure they are fully prepared for eachactivity, both within the University and out in the schools or colleges. We encouragethem to work as a team, to provide advice to each other, share their good practicesand knowledge, and use these skills to become reflective individuals.

By attending Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions, our Associatesdevelop great life and employability skills which can enhance their CV and jobprospects.

Our Associates will support the Access Partnership Programme in a variety ofways; through small group work, targeted activities, student shadowing,presentations, and e-mentoring.




Sowing the SeedsAPP: Years 4, 5 and 6Primary School Programme

This unique programme is an opportunity for studentsin Primary schools to find out about life at their localUniversity.

The aim of the day is to introduce the concept of University to students through a day of fun and interactive activities.

By sowing the seeds at an early age the aim of this event is raise awareness and aspirations to allow students to recognise future pathways into University.

Students spend the day at the University interacting and participating in key events within various departments of the University.

This is a 3 stage programmeStage 1: Key members of the Access team will attend the participating schooldelivering an interactive assembly to students and their parents/carers.

Stage 2: Students will then take part in a campus visit to the University.Parents/carers are invited to attend.

Stage 3: Access Partnership Associates visit the school and complete aninteractive evaluation session and lesson plan with the participating students.

Agenda for the day:Campus visit:In teams and working with an Access Partnership Associate, students will take part in team building activities, the Uni Quiz and draw a typical student.

Students take part in an interactive tour of the University of Bedfordshire with departments leading sessions.

Lunch and refreshments are provided by the University of Bedfordshire.

After lunch students create a t-shirt design and make a presentation about their experiences of University.

Students then graduate from the University of Bedfordshire, with each studentreceiving a graduation certificate.



Reach your GoalAPP: Years 8, 9 and 10

The following activities have been developed to providesupport for students in years 8, 9 and 10.

Aim 4 Uni DayOur Aim4Uni days will bring together students from a range of partner schools andprovide an opportunity for them to spend a day at the University exploring what auniversity is like, whilst raising awareness of the opportunities it can provide.

Participants will have the chance to tour the campus and interact with ourAssociates.

Each Aim4Uni day has been themed to accommodate the different year groups;

• Year 8 – introduction to university and raising awareness of higher education

• Year 9 – subject specific/linked to GCSE option choices

• Year 10 – ’Aim 4 your Future’ day focusing on future career and study options

Access Partnership Associate SchemeOur Access Partnership Associates, who are all current students at the University,deliver 6–10 week programmes with targeted groups of learners focusing onraising aspirations and also provides a peer mentoring service.

This programme is delivered on a rolling basis throughout the academic year andcan also be followed up with an optional university visit for the learners who havecompleted the scheme. Note: All our Associates are fully trained and have currentCRB checks.

Year 9 OptionsWe deliver assembly presentations highlighting the significance and importance ofoption choices and GCSE performance in relation to post-16 progression.

Parents’ EveningsThe Access Partnership team provide assistance with GCSE requirements andgrades relating to university entry for the university’s degree level courses.



Your Next Step to UniAPP: Years 12 and 13

The following activities have been developed to providesupport to students in years 12 and 13 who are lookingto progress and prepare for the next step of Universitylife.

The decision to go University is one of the most important decisions a youngperson will have to make. These activities are designed to provide the latestinformation, advice and guidance to students who are considering applying tohigher education.

Making a successful applicationFrom considering University through to making an application can be a challengingtime for a young person. The University of Bedfordshire has designed interactivepresentations in the following areas of:

• Considering University

• Personal Statements

• Next Steps to University

• Student Finance

Preparing for University lifeMoving to University can be one of the most exciting and daunting experiences for young people. These activities and interventions have been specificallydesigned to help students with the transition into University life.

The University of Bedfordshire can offer the following interactive presentations:

• Student Life

• Ready, Study, Go…

• Making the most of Uni

• Money matters

All presentations can be delivered at the sixth form/college or as part of a campusvisit to the University.



Student ShadowingFor students who may be unsure of what course to study at University, or whowish to find out more about specific courses. We offer a unique opportunity toshadow an undergraduate student.

Students will shadow our student Associates to lectures, receive a tour of thecampus and have the opportunity to receive an honest description of Universitylife from a student who is living it, and experiencing it, for real.

This opportunity will be available by request only and places may be limited.Access Partnership Associates will be leading this programme.



Try before you buy. Students in year 12 will have the opportunity to attend a free of charge three-daynon-residential summer school at the University ofBedfordshire.

The summer schools will be offered in four subject areas and will provide anopportunity for students to participate in interactive lectures and seminars, meetother students from sixth forms and colleges, and find out about the practical nextsteps to applying to higher education.

For students this is a chance to:

1. Meet with under graduate students.

2. Decide if University is for them for them

3. Confirm their University course choice.

Places are limited. Students apply direct to the University of Bedfordshire.

Specialist Taster DaysThe University of Bedfordshire can offer a wide range of subject taster days whichallow students to participate in interactive lectures and seminars, meet studentscurrently studying the course, and find out about the next steps to applying tohigher education.

Specialist taster days are delivered by course lecturers and provide an overview ofthe key subject areas offered at degree level.

Vocational Days – From University to EmploymentVocational Days allow students to participate in a series of taster subject lecturesand seminars which focus on career opportunities. The basic outline of the day isas follows:

• Welcome

• Subject specific lectures

• Students’ Union talk

• Campus tours

• Q&A session

• Student finance

• Your next step to University

Your Next Step to UniAPP: Years 12 and 13Year 12 Summer Schools



The aim of the day is to inform students of their career options and demonstratethe value that adegree brings in terms of career progression and opportunities.

Support for Parents/Open EveningsThe Access Partnership Team can offer assistance with parents/open evenings atsixth forms/colleges, by providing students and their parents/carers with furtherinformation about a range of subjects, from admissions to student finance.



Uni-que support for you and yours!

We aim to provide support to your learners to helpthem get to where they would like to be, but nopartnership could be complete without the relationshipwe have with parents/carers and teachers.

You are key to helping young people make right decisions about their future.Our team recognises this and seeks to help you help them, by providing varioussupporting activities.

Support for TeachersThe following outlines the activities that will complement the Access PartnershipProgramme.

• Attending training days to provide awareness of the range of activities we areoffering

• Delivery of bespoke events through the year from key providers including UCASand Student Finance England

Support for Parents/CarersThe following will encourage conversations that will help with the progression intoHigher Education.

• Campus visits for Parents

• Attendance at Parents evenings (on request)

• Information about Open days

• UCAS parents workshops

• Student Finance presentations

We can also offer a bespoke service depending on your requirements.



The following activities have been specially developedto provide support for current University of BedfordshireFoundation Degree students considering the top-upoption into the final year of a University of Bedfordshirehonours degree.

Access Partnership Associate SchemeOur Associates, who are all current students at the University, can deliver 6–10week programmes with targeted groups of students, focusing on raising aspirationstoward the final year of study on honours degrees, and can also provide a peermentoring service to ease transition for those considering topping-up.

This programme can be delivered on a rolling basis throughout the academic yearand can also be followed up with an optional university visit for the learners whohave completed the scheme.

Motivational TalksUsing members of the Access Partnership Team, we are able to deliver smallgroup presentations to help motivate and engage students who are at risk ofunderperforming or withdrawing from academic courses.

These presentations draw upon the personal experiences of the AccessPartnership team (including the Associates) in an effort to encourage students to overcome some of the barriers that may impact on their studies, thus helping to improve retention.

Networking EventFor final year Foundation Degree (FD) students deciding to top-up to the final yearof the honours degree, the Access Partnership Team are providing an opportunityfor FD students to meet and network with their peers from other partnerinstitutes, undergraduate students and academic staff at a social BBQ event.

This experience will help to integrate student’s with others who they will findthemselves working with during the third year of their respective honours degreecourse.

Progressing to anAPP: Foundation degree students



Student ShadowingFoundation Degree students will be offered the opportunity to shadow anundergraduate students, to get a taste of a typical day at University.

This opportunity will be available by request only and places may be limited.

E-Mentoring Programme (Pilot Project)This brand new facility offers partner college students the opportunity to accessone-to-one mentoring support delivered by a specialised team of Associates.

Professional & Academic Development (PAD/Pals)This service provides access to some of the University’s more experiencedundergraduate students, who can offer the following support to student’sacademic studies:

• time management

• completing assessments

• academic study skills

• referencing

• using resources

• effective reading

• making themed notes

These sessions can be delivered using various combinations of activities in an effortto meet the needs of student groups. The skills they develop within these sessionswill prepare them for the transition into the final year of the honours degree.

BREO/Blackboard TrainingThis session is aimed at staff and students who are interested in learning moreabout the University’s Visual Learning Environment. Participants will be guidedthrough the processes that enable users of the system to navigate and customisetheir BREO/Blackboard accounts.



Work Placement OpportunitiesThe Careers and Employment Service at the University can offer FoundationDegree students work placement opportunities. The Access Partnership Team canarrange for presentations to be delivered to students and staff on how to accessthe Careers Portal.

University Taster VisitsThe University of Bedfordshire would like to welcome all of its Foundation Degreestudents by providing subject specific taster days and workshops. These eventsare developed in collaboration with faculty departments and the Access PartnershipTeam, providing practical and theoretical opportunities linked to key areas of study.Taster days will follow the following format:

• Welcome

• Subject specific lectures

• Students’ Union talk

• Campus tours

• Learning Resource Centre visit

• Library searches

• Academic workshops

• Student ID logins

• Q&A session with final year undergraduates

• Refreshments

These sessions are designed to assist students in completing their FoundationDegree studies and to prepare them for the transition into the final year of thecorresponding honours degree.

Guest LecturesThere are opportunities for some of the University’s academic staff to deliverspecialist presentations that link in with Foundation Degree units. The topic areascovered would require negotiation with the respective faculty or department.

Careers and Progression Talks This is aimed at both full-time and part-time students who are studying on a Foundation Degree. This session will outline the range of opportunities that are available to students on completion of their academic studies.



Progressing to an UniversityDegree APP: Access Students

The following activities are on offer to adult returnersto education to support them with key decisions aboutwhat and where to study, and assist in making asuccessful transition to undergraduate level studies.

UCAS Process and Student FinanceWe can offer a range of presentations and workshops on the UCAS process,including personal statements, and provide information about student financeincluding the new fee structure and support available. Please contact us if youwould like to discuss this further. We are happy to provide bespoke sessions onthese topics, upon request.

Becoming an Independent LearnerThis activity includes a presentation and supplementary workshop delivered by our Access Partnership Associates, covering information and advice on developingeffective study skills for Higher Education such as time management, researching,plagiarism and the use of the University of Bedfordshire’s Virtual LearningEnvironment (Breo/Blackboard).

Student LifeOur ‘Making the most of university’ presentation provides Access students with information on the support services available at universities and the range of activities and opportunities on offer in Higher Education to enhance theiremployability and help them build skills and experience to compete effectively in a competitive graduate job market.

Access Partnership Associate SchemeOur Associates who are all current students at the University, can deliver 6-10 week/flexible programmes with groups of students to help with preparing for the transition to university and also provide a peer mentoring service.

Student Shadowing Access students will be offered a unique opportunity to shadow an undergraduatestudent to get a taste of a typical university day. This opportunity will be availableby request only and places may be limited.



Access Summer School This unique Summer School offers Access students who are soon to join theUniversity of Bedfordshire a chance to get up to speed with some of the key areasthey will need to ease progression to the first year of their undergraduate course.This will include using our Virtual Learning Environment (Breo/Blackboard), use ofthe LRC and subject related sessions.



Specialist Programmes

APP: SpecialistThe University is keen to support progression to higher education for all who areable to benefit, including those learners who may face additional barriers or whocome from communities with low participation in higher education.

We therefore offer a range of additional support to care leavers, learners withdisabilities or those at risk of disengagement from the education system.

We aim, so far as is possible, for all learners to participate in the Access PartnershipProgramme, but we recognise that some may require additional support.

To this end we offer the following additional programme elements:

Collaborative Working The University works collaboratively with other agencies such as local authoritiesand specialist providers to establish collaborative approaches. For example, theestablished steering group for young people in care and leaving care bringstogether key providers who meet regularly.

By involving children in care and care leavers it allows the group to gain a realunderstanding and knowledge of the key issues that students face.

Pre-entry Support From primary level to adult learners the University offers a range of support to helpyoung people decide their next step. Sessions include:

• Taster visits

• Support of local led community events

• Finance talks

• Pre entry guidance to social workers/foster carers and key care providers

• Support to attend open days

• Transitional mentor support to University

A Taste of University – bespoke summer schoolsThese summer schools welcome learners to the University of Bedfordshire andprovide an insight into the facilities and resources that are on offer to degreestudents. For some, this is the first time they have set foot in a higher educationestablishment and this helps to break down barriers and misconceptions for thosewith no family tradition of university study.



Summer schools can involve the following elements: -

Careers & Progression Talks This component of the summer school activity aims to explore the post-16 optionsand aspirations of the group, looking at areas such as apprenticeships, vocationalstudies, the world of work, work experience and degree level studies.

Positive Role ModelsUsing the Access Partnership Associates provides a valuable resource forengaging with learners from a diverse range of backgrounds. The Associates workclosely with young people to challenge some issues associated with peer pressureand address some of the myths and misconceptions on the value of education.

Cultural and Personal IdentitiesWorking with creative and inspirational members of the community, the youngpeople are encouraged to question the origins of their cultural heritage. Exploringaspects of music, art, history and politics, learners are taken on a journey of selfdiscovery. Visiting historical landmarks, investigating literature and debating currentaffairs provides a rich environment for all participants to explore new boundaries.

Self ExpressionWorking collaboratively with FE colleges and other providers the University usescreative arts such as music technology, photography, dance and drama to enablelearners to explore the issues they confront and to showcase their talents andabilities.


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