A Suitable Boy Project hailed a success

In 2007-08, ‘A Suitable Boy’ promoted aspiration and attitudinal changes in year 9 boys from three Aimhigher schools in Sussex from predominantly NSEC 4-7 backgrounds. The project offered the opportunity for parents to be included in the boy’s ‘journey’ and sought to be a timely intervention, raising awareness of HE progression at a time when students were making their GCSE options.

A structured programme of workshops both in school, and at FE and HE institutions was rich in information and guidance, and presented an opportunity for young males to consider stereotypically male subjects from a new perspective.

A Suitable Boy Project

To address the low engagement of young males in higher education the 'A Suitable Boy' project has been developed to raise aspiration, esteem, awareness, and motivation among a group of selected year 9 boys.

The boys come from three Sussex schools; Tideway School in Newhaven, Thomas Bennett Community College in Crawley and Boundstone Community College in Lancing.

The programme is both modular and thematic and gives a degree of control to the boys involved by allowing them to select the subject matter of their project.

The six stages involved include:

• two in-school workshops
• one twilight student and parent session
• two off-school trips embracing subject areas with a focus on HE progression links
• an end of project presentation in a university lecture theatre to their peers and colleagues.

The initial planning stages are now complete and the first workshops will be finished by the end of November.

Excellence Cluster: Student Advisers in Hastings & St. Leonard's

A small team of student advisers, employed by the Hastings & St. Leonard's Excellence Cluster, have been supporting students in the sixth forms of local secondary schools, as part of Aimhigher provision in the local area.

Promoting Higher Education to Adult Learners

This East Sussex project raises awareness of the benefits of Higher Education amongst people aged 18-30 who live in rural and isolated communities.

Exploring the different needs of adults by building links through community groups and FE colleges, activities include information sessions on Higher Education, study skills and confidence building.

The project is led by the Open University and represents an important step in building partnerships with community groups.

For more information, contact:

Andrea Dumbrell
Education Liaison Outreach Worker
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Parents and Carers workshop

Workshop sessions which aim to increase the level of support provided by parents and carers to Aimhigher students are being offered to parents, carers and year 10 students.

Each session will explore the benefits of higher education and answer any questions or concerns they may have.

Following a sucessful pilot project delivered at Portslade Community College and Bognor Regis Community College these sessions are now being made available to all schools.

For more information contact Andrea Dumbrell the Education Liaison Outreach Worker at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Primary Project

Primary school children are getting their first taste of university through a project delivered by Brighton University and Setpoint Sussex.

The aim is to raise aspirations and awareness of Higher Education amongst parents and children alike.

The Primary Project includes a campus treasure hunt and a science and engineering workshop hosted by current students.

The project works with schools in Brighton, Hove and Hastings where there is low progression to HE and higher than average economic and social deprivation.

A mini graduation ceremony will be held in the summer and children will receive certificates from the University of Brighton's Vice-Chancellor.

For more details please contact Gino Graziano at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 01273 641929.