National Aimhigher Week 8-12 June
This month sees the first ever national Aimhigher Week running from 8th-12th June, and Aimhigher partnerships up and down the country are celebrating the success of the programme with a range of aspiration-raising events.
To find out more, go to the Aimhigher Week page on the Directgov website.
Aimhigher Sussex, one of 44 area partnerships which aims to widen participation in higher education by young people from under-represented groups, is hosting a number of targeted activities including:
* 8th June – ‘Who’s My Patient’ session for Aimhigher Year 10 students at The Grove School, East Sussex
* 9th June – End of year celebration for Aimhigher Year 10 students from West Sussex schools at the University of Chichester
* 10th June – Business and Marketing Day for Year 10 students from Eastbourne Technology College and Boundstone Community College, at Brighton Racecourse
* 12th June – Marine Biology Taster Day for Year 10 students from Kings Manor Community College, at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Aimhigher Sussex is also celebrating the launch of a ground-breaking mentoring programme – Aimhigher Associates – which will be rolled out locally in September.
Aimhigher Associates
Is the first scheme of its kind to build long term links between university students and school/college pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to help raise educational aspirations.
Undergraduates will be recruited to become Associates, using their personal experience to encourage and support pupils as young as 13 to make the most of their talents.
David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher Education, said:
We have invested £21 million in supporting Aimhigher Associates so that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can meet with mentors who can give them a better understanding of what university is like, and guide them through the application process.
We know that over half of people from all social groups aspire to go to university and we remain committed to ensuring that everyone with the talent and potential to succeed has the opportunity to do so whatever their background.
It has never been more important to get more young people from challenging backgrounds into university. During these difficult economic times we must focus on training our upcoming workforce, giving them the skills that will be so vital in securing our future economic success.
Debra Vice Holt, Acting Director of Aimhigher Sussex, commented:
Aimhigher Associates will add to the diverse range of activities delivered locally as well as building on our successful mentoring programme in Sussex.
Aimhigher Sussex, including a member of the Student Voice Panel, have also been invited to a National Aimhigher event in London on 9th June, which will celebrate Aimhigher’s achievements and discuss ideas for the future.
National Aimhigher Week: Sussex Activities
Who’s My Patient? Session for Year 10’s
On June 8th at 10.20am Grove School in St Leonards on Sea, Hastings are holding a Who’s My Patient? Session for Year 10’s.
Aimhigher National Event
On June 9th at 10.30am the Aimhigher National Event is being held at the QEII Conference Centre, London.
End of Year celebration for Year 10’s and their parents and carers
On June 9th at 5.30pm there’ll be an End of Year celebration for Year 10’s and their parents and carers held at University of Chichester, Chichester.
Business and Marketing Day for Year 10’s from Eastbourne Technology College and Boundstone Community College
On June 10th from 9.45am there’ll be a Business and Marketing Day for Year 10’s from Eastbourne Technology College and Boundstone Community College at Brighton Racecourse.
Parents and carers’ session for Year 10s
On June 10th at 6.00pm there’ll be a Parents and carers’ session for Year 10’s at Helenswood School, Hastings.
Marine biology taster day for Year 10’s from Kings Manor Community College
On June 12th there’s an all day Marine biology taster day for Year 10’s from Kings Manor Community College at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
For more information about any of these events please contact Susan Bentley on 01273 643870, 07719 849 297 or at sb256@brighton.ac.uk
