AIMHIGHER
Higher education
minister, David
Lammy,
discusses the
Aimhigher roadshow and the
scheme’s continuing push to
encourage young people to
consider higher education
The road
S TEACHERS, I know you
A
will agree that all young people
regardless of their background
should be encouraged to reach their
potential. This is more important
than ever, as with the country in Aiming high: Year 9 students take part
to success
recession we cannot afford to let in an Aimhigher roadshow workshop
any talent go to waste – we need to ensure we have
the skills needed to fulfil business demands when the
economy recovers. Bismah Shah, 14, a student at Priesthorpe, added: self-sufficient and without worry. Before the roadshow But there are benefits for teachers too: if pupils are
The Aimhigher campaign, supported by the “The roadshow was terrific. I found it really informative arrived at the school, I didn’t know what to expect, but enthusiastic about the prospect of higher education, they
Department of Business, Innovation, and Skills, and interesting and I’m definitely going to university as soon as the first group came out of the vehicle I could will be more motivated to do well at school, committing
was set up to help encourage more young people to now. My goal is to study biomedicine at university. see how excited and engaged they were. to their education and improving their grades. These
consider university, specifically targeting students from “The roadshow is one of many things I’ve done at “The facilitator was bouncy, enthusiastic and benefits are cumulative and increase over time.
families where there might little or no history of higher school to find out about university: we have been to informative, keeping the momentum going throughout Some critics have questioned whether it is right
education. taster days and three local universities, and were able the 40 minutes. For me, anything that opens a student’s to be encouraging more students to consider higher
These students may be put off going to university to try out their facilities and equipment for a project of eye to a new way of thinking is always welcome.” education when there are less graduate jobs available. I
through fundamental misunderstandings of what higher our own. All this has really helped me understand what Research shows that young people’s interest in, and feel very strongly that we should.
education is or is not like: they may be concerned about university is all about and why I should go.” enthusiasm for, higher education needs to be sustained After all, the recession will not last forever – the
making friends at university, about funding their course, One of the main benefits of the roadshow for busy to make the roadshow as effective as possible. The economy will recover and new jobs demanding high
or about fitting in part-time work around their studies. teachers is that as a standalone resource, no input or roadshow is only one aspect of activity that can be skills levels will be created. We need to build on all the
They may also be unaware of the vast number of time is required from the school’s teaching staff on the carried out to encourage students to consider higher work that has been done over the past decade to widen
courses on offer and the job opportunities that will day. The vehicle arrives, and is set up, run and closed education. access to higher education.
be open to them as a result of completing a degree. by roadshow staff, before taking to the road for its next That is why we rely upon the support of schools to University should not be the preserve of the elite,
Aimhigher aims to provide the information needed destination. present the idea of higher education through a series but of the talented. The role of Aimhigher is to help
to dispel the myths and build understanding of what The sessions are hosted by a recent graduate who of ongoing, interactive activities, such as taster days students see that they should not be intimidated by
university is really like. relates to the students and explains, in an engaging and at local universities, or inviting local employers to the prospect of university, but excited by it and the
At the heart of the programme is the Aimhigher honest way, what the benefits of university are. This speak to students about career opportunities and the opportunities it will uncover. The roadshow offers
roadshow. Made up of five state-of-the-art, interactive graduate is also able to answer questions that the students qualifications they look for in their employees. students a glimpse into some of the careers they could
tour buses, the roadshow takes the Aimhigher message may have, often helping to dispel misconceptions about To support schools in this activity, Aimhigher has undertake with a university degree, as well as an insight
directly to year 9 students in schools and colleges up money and the student lifestyle, or concerns about developed a downloadable teacher’s resource pack, into the thousands of courses on offer at universities
and down the country. making friends. It is this method of informing young containing suggested lesson activities that fit into the across the country, demonstrating that a degree, and the
Since its launch in January 2002, the roadshow has people about university life that makes the roadshow existing curriculum. The resource pack can be used in prospects that go with it, are for life. SecEd
visited nearly half a million young people, and research truly unique. advance of, and following, a roadshow visit, and may
from 2008/09 shows that 98 per cent of those visited As part of the session, students also see an interactive also be used by schools that are not being visited by • David Lammy is minister of state for higher education
experienced a marked improvement in their enthusiasm presentation, during which they are asked to vote on the roadshow. and intellectual property with the Department for
for going to university. Who Wants to be a Millionaire?-style key pads. The The benefit of encouraging students to consider Business, Innovation, and Skills.
Carolyn Myers, the Aimhigher co-ordinator at presentation can accommodate up to 18 students and university from the young person’s perspective is
Priesthorpe School in Leeds, said: “The roadshow had lasts around 40 minutes, so each of the five roadshow evident: Aimhigher helps young people understand the
Further information
the biggest impact on those students that had never vehicles can host up to 144 students per day. purpose of school and exams – for progression way The Aimhigher roadshow runs from September to July
considered moving on to higher education. The day Karen Betty, head of careers of Northampton beyond the school gates and helping them achieve each year. The 2009/10 schedule is currently being
gives them an opportunity to find out about the huge Academy, said: “The great thing about the roadshow their potential, not just in getting to university, but in planned. To find out more or to download the teacher’s
range of courses that are available, many of which the from a teacher’s perspective is that we didn’t have obtaining a qualification to stand them in good stead resource pack, visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/aimhigher or
students weren’t aware of.” to do anything at all – the roadshow was completely throughout their lives. www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/home
Trust schools: view from the ground
Former
educational organisation with robust external partners to better consider its own way of operating. Being in As well as the exciting educational developments,
to bring fresh ideas and support, acquire the land and a trust has given us a greater degree of autonomy that we have also benefited by making considerable cost
headteacher
assets, become the employer of staff directly, and enjoy allows us to consider being even more innovative in savings through more effective delivery of services
the freedom of being able to innovate and create new our approaches.” and streamlined models of school leadership.
structures and systems. Ian Robertson is head of The Hermitage School, Our governance model is particularly effective with
Ken Tonge
The concept was also so easy to link with our core which is part of the Chester le Street Learning a new concept of small and efficient School Advisory
business of making learning as effective and fulfilling Community Trust. Their partners are diverse, including Groups supported by a main governing body.
is now the
as possible. Durham County Council, Sunderland University, Chair of governors, Chris Smith, said: “The
However, our first steps were met with concern by Laing O’Rourke construction company, Northumbrian Trust has been the catalyst that transformed the way
strategic head of the
many: “Why would you want to do that?” “Couldn’t Water, Acumen Development Trust, and New College, our schools work together. We are now truly an
you do that without being a Trust?” “Is this the same Durham. all-age education resource that benefits our whole
as being an academy?” “Is it just a way of cutting jobs The initial vision of their Trust was to create community.”
Ashington Learning
and saving money?” increased opportunities for pupils in the 14 to 19 range, In June we held our third annual Trust Schools
In fact, those who had previous knowledge of public increasing their vocational and employment chances. Conference at The Emirates Stadium in London.
Partnership. He discusses
organisations being recreated as Trusts started off with The vision now is much wider and is about raising the Around 300 delegates were addressed by David Bell,
a very negative view of the concept and cited horror aspirations of families and the wider community across permanent secretary at the Department for Children,
their journey so far
stories of the deterioration of those organisations. But the full age range. Schools and Families, and Professor Yong Zhao from
we were creating something new, something different, Mr Robertson said: “Trust status has allowed us to the University of Michigan.
and something very much under our own control. strengthen an already committed governing body with Every year I look forward to it as it provides an
T IS not a club, it is not a society, it is not Three years later, there are 176 operational Trust an opportunity to think more widely in terms of life opportunity, once again, to rub shoulders with some of
I
a single organisation, and it is certainly not schools and 377 in the process of acquiring Trusts. chances for young people.” the most creative and determined people in education
a clique. Yet, over the last two years I have Scores of external partners have come on board to In my current role as strategic head of the Ashington in this country, people who make a difference. It is not
been meeting more and more like-minded energise, challenge, support and stimulate schools into Learning Partnership Trust, I co-ordinate the activities a club, but it is good to be part of it whatever it is!
people who have been making me feel I creating better provision and widening the opportunities of five schools with a pupil population of over 3,000.
belong to something special. of learners. We have not yet completed the second full We formed a Trust in 2007 with a view to creating • Ken Tonge is chairman of the National Trust
People who are confident, people with year of being Trusts, yet there are many stories of the an all-age learning organisation. This also includes 500 and Foundation Schools Partnership’s Practitioner
vision, people who are prepared to take risks, and impact and success of Trusts around the country. adult learners and a Master’s course for staff supported Steering Group. Until 2007, he was a head at Ashington
people who are not afraid of doing something different Mike Billington is the chairman of governors of by Northumbria University. High School in Northumberland and is now strategic
– school leaders, governors, leaders of industry, South Dartmoor Community College in Devon whose Since we formed the Trust we have reached many head of the Ashington Learning Partnership.
leaders of charitable organisations, university leaders, Trust partners include Exeter University and Capita milestones, such as forming a skills-based curriculum
and many more exceptional representatives of the Children’s Services. matrix, running our Deep Learning Days when staff
Further information
many organisations who have all engaged in the He sees already that being part of a Trust has had and students move between schools to create all-age The National Trust and Foundation Schools
process of forming school Trusts. an impact on his school: “The Trust has instigated working groups from five to 18, working towards a Partnership comprises the Foundation and Aided
Three years ago, when we first began to explore various pieces of work that are making a direct and common assessment and tracking system, appointing Schools National Association, the Specialist Schools
the possibility of forming a Trust, it was a step into positive contribution to school life. The process of staff across schools, and exploring new models for and Academies Trust, and the Youth Sport Trust. Visit
the unknown. The concept seemed right – form an becoming a Trust school caused the governing body transition. www.trustandfoundationschools.org.uk
14 SecEd • July 2 2009
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