the outreach programm e/ our work with schools - … · 3 our experience over many years has shown...

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THE OUTREACHPROGRAMME/OUR WORKWITH SCHOOLS

2 University of Kent / The outreach programme

CONTENTSThe outreach programme for schools 3

The outreach programme: development and delivery 4

Planning an outreach programme for your school 6

Outreach for Years 7 and 8 8




Scholarships and funding 19

3

Our experience over many years has shown that University outreach activities can make a real impacton students in schools and can help them to make informed and effective choices about their future.Kent has some of the best teaching staff in the country, and they challenge young people to reach theirfull potential. The University has been awarded a gold rating, the highest, in the UK Government’s TeachingExcellence Framework (TEF)*, and 97% of Kent’s research was deemed to be of international quality inthe most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF). Working closely with the University’s academics,our specialist outreach team has created a rich and varied programme of school and campus-basedevents to share our passion for learning and inspire students to go on to higher education.

This brochure outlines our provision for the University of Kent’s Partner Schools and members of the Kentand Medway Progression Federation (KMPF). We hope that you find it helpful when planning how bestto support and inspire your students.

To find out more about our activities, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/outreach, email [email protected] call us on 01227 824149. Contact us to subscribe to our weekly schools bulletin, which keepsyou up to date with our new initiatives and developments.

www.kent.ac.uk/outreach

THE OUTREACHPROGRAMME FORSCHOOLSAt the University of Kent, we believe that anyone with the academic abilityto study at university should have the opportunity to do so. This is why weare committed to our involvement with local secondary schools, encouragingyoung people to embrace the value of higher education and helping themto realise the important part it can play in their lives. Every year, as partof our commitment, the University delivers outreach to thousands ofstudents across Kent and Medway.

* The University of Kent’s Statement of Findings can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/tef-statement


Our outreach programme targetsstudents who are less likely than theirpeers to progress to higher education.Among this group, progression tohigher education is 10% higher forstudents who participate in outreachactivities than for those who do not.

Our data also shows that, on average, attainment atKey Stage 4 for outreach participants is 16% higherthan the school average.

We monitor our work and its outcomes very closelyto assess its impact. A total of 35,030 students havebeen tracked through data reported by the HigherEducation Statistics Agency (HESA). The Universityof Kent leads on a national monitoring and outreachservice called the Higher Education Access Tracker(HEAT, www.heat.ac.uk) and the tracking studyis part of that service. We analyse data to seewhich of our activities are most helpful in inspiringstudents, how well outreach participants do in theirschool qualifications, whether they enter highereducation and how well they perform at the endof their university course.

Based on the data we have collected over tenyears, and the insights that this has given us,we have redesigned our outreach curriculumto maximise its impact.

When should my students startengaging with outreach?Our data indicates that progression to highereducation improves when students participatein outreach activities both before and after the ageof 16. Our programmes are carefully planned tooffer tailored activities for students throughouttheir education.

What curriculum should I choose?Our data shows that information talks about highereducation are most effective when they form partof a longer programme of activities, so we generallyuse talks to introduce students to other activities(such as Summer School) rather than in isolation.We recommend that your students engagewith the outreach programme at various pointsthroughout their school career. Our OutreachActivities Co-ordinators work with you tocreate a tailored programme for each cohort toensure that your students get the maximum benefit.

Visit our campus Although it can be difficult to arrange for studentsto leave school for the day, a visit to campus canmake a lasting difference, particularly when itforms part of a wider, planned outreach programme.According to HEAT data, students who take partin outreach activities on campus are 7% more likelyto progress to higher education than those who onlyparticipate in school-based outreach activities.

THE OUTREACH PROGRAMME:DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY

Delivering the programmeOur team brings a wealth of diverse experienceto the delivery of the outreach programme.Our specialist outreach staff have many yearsof experience working with schools. Across theUniversity, our academic staff are committed tothe dissemination of knowledge and are keento share their excitement for their specialist subjectareas with enquiring minds. Some members ofthe team are recent Kent graduates, who knowthe value of a university education and usetheir perspective and knowledge to informand inspire potential students.

In addition, our student ambassadors are greatrole models, and their involvement in outreach workgives them an opportunity to put their learning intopractice, gain vital skills that will be useful in theworkplace and share their passion for learning.

Involving our specialist teachers, academicstaff and student ambassadors in the deliveryof the outreach programme ensures that our workwith schools is truly representative of the breadthof expertise and experience that the Universityhas to offer.

Comparing achievement with theschool averageThese figures show the KS4 achievementof outreach participants compared withthe average for their schools.

Percentage of students awarded 5 A*-C (including English and Maths)

Outreach participant average School average

55% 39%

Source: HEAT™ (August, 2017)

5www.kent.ac.uk/outreach

How it will help you and your studentsThe outreach programme introduces studentsto the concept of higher education in Year 7 andbuilds their knowledge as they progress throughsecondary education. In addition, we offeropportunities for exploring and developingother key skills that are necessary for educationalsuccess. We understand that some students mayrequire additional curriculum support in order tofulfil their potential, and for this reason our outreachprogramme also includes activities delivered bythe University’s academic schools.

The programme outlined in this brochure indicatespathways through the outreach offer from Year 7to Year 13. This enables you to:• identify activities that are appropriate for

different groups of students• build coherent and progressive routes within

the outreach curriculum to provide themaximum benefit to each group.

In addition to providing activities tailored to differentyear groups, we also offer some activities designedto support students with low attainment, while othersstretch and challenge high attainers. Our OutreachActivities Co-ordinators can advise and supportyou as you consider the best routes for yourindividual students.

STUDENT AMBASSADORHaidar Al Taie graduated from the University of Kent in 2018 witha degree in Mathematics and Statistics with a Year in Industry

Why did you become a student ambassador?I knew that being a student ambassador would provide me with a unique opportunity to balancepaid work and studies, so I could fully focus on whichever required more attention at the time.I grew up in a somewhat disadvantaged background where not many people went to university.Having got to university myself despite the challenges, it really encourages me to support thosewho think university isn’t possible for them, and to reassure them that people can make it,if they choose to, no matter where they’re from.

What kinds of activity have you been involved in?I’ve worked on lots of campus visits, where we show the students around the Canterbury campus –usually tailoring the tour to their year group. Within those full-day campus visits, I’ve also deliveredworkshops and supported subject-specific sessions. I visit schools all over Kent to deliver sessionson topics such as university life, student finance and many others. Occasionally, I support studentsin writing their personal statements for the UCAS applications, too. Recently, I’ve been involved ina few summer schools, where we run activities and provide support to students over three- orfour-night residentials.

What has been the most rewarding thing about being a student ambassador?My favourite aspect of this job is how rewarding it is, whether it’s seeing a student so happyafter discovering a new subject area they can study, guiding a student into making a better personalstatement, or watching their amazement as we go around the campus on a tour. The most rewardingpart of all is knowing that you have the potential to completely transform a student’s future within thematter of a few hours, and seeing how motivated they become. Being a part of that experience isa genuine honour and drives me to make every event an unforgettable experience for the students.

89%93%

Achievement by prior attainmentat Key Stage 2*By looking at the KS4 performance ofparticipants broken down by their priorattainment at KS2, and comparing thiswith the school level averages, we can beginto show meaningful relationships betweenparticipation in outreach and attainment atschool while controlling for prior attainment.

Percentage of students awarded 5 A*-C (including English and Maths)

High KS2 attainment (>L4) Medium KS2 attainment (L4) Low KS2 attainment (<L4)* Data available from 2010/2011

Outreachparticipants

School

50%

62%

6%10%

University of Kent / The outreach programme6

PLANNING AN OUTREACHPROGRAMME FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Our outreach programme is designedprogressively to build and developyour students’ understanding ofhigher education and the rangeof opportunities it offers them.It is most effective when studentsparticipate on a number of occasionsduring their school career.

The planning grid on these pages provides anexample of how you might plan for outreachactivities across Years 7 to 13. We recommend thatyou include the core offer activities in your planning.

Students who follow this programmefrom Y7 to Y11:1 Are involved in outreach before the age of 16,

increasing their chances of progression.2 Participate in two campus visits, which has

a positive impact on progression to HE.3 Take part in activities focused on their post-16

options, helping them to make informeddecisions about their future.

Students who follow this programmein sixth form:1 Take part in activities focused on their post-18

options, helping them to make informeddecisions once they finish sixth form.

2 Visit a university campus, which increaseslikelihood of progression.

3 Receive help with their applications andmaking realistic choices.

4 Are given an overview of what to expect atuniversity, making the prospect of their nextstep less daunting.

5 Have an opportunity to find out about thesupport available at university and to askquestions, which increases the chancesof continuing to higher education.

Contact us at [email protected] to be added toour email list or keep up to date with our activitiesvia our weekly schools bulletin at:www.kent.ac.uk/outreach/schools-bulletin

Outreach activities planning grid

Outreach strands and aims

Please speak to your Outreach Activities Co-ordinator who can advise and support you inconsidering the best routes for your individual students. You can also check our website fora full list of outreach activities.

Year group

Academic support (Learning and innovation skills)

Academic support (Curriculum)

HE awareness

KS3 Foundations Literacy and numeracy support Raising awareness ofHE

Y7

Y8

Level 2 learning and innovationskills

Level 2 curriculum support Increasing familiarity with HE

Y9

Y10

Making informed post-16 choices

Y11

Level 3 learning and innovationskills

Level 3 curriculum support Exploring self and post-18 options

Y12

Exploring highereducation

Supporting applications and the transition to HE

Y13

7

Core offer for outreachgroups

The core offer is designedprogressively to build and developyour students' understanding ofhigher education and the rangeof opportunities it offers them.

Examples of optional activitiesfor outreach groups

The optional activities build and complementthe core offer. These activities provideadditional opportunities to support studentsin academic study, develop new skills andfurther improve their understanding of HE.

Examples of targeted activities for smaller outreach groups

Due to the intensive nature of these activities, they can only be delivered to targetedgroups of outreach students. The examples detailed below represent the types ofactivity that may be available.

Workshop: Build a university Transitions activity day Greenfoot programming – to stretch and challenge high-achieving students byintroducing them to programming concepts to create their own digital games

Year 7/8 visit day Quest narrative literacy project – for students working below their expected literacylevel

Workshop: Build a student Homework club Transitions project: reflect, research and respond – for high-achieving students to helpimprove public speaking and research skills

World Languages Day

Year 9 visit day Maths: What's the point?

Workshop: University life Year 10 visit day Year 10 Summer School – for students who have the academic potential to progress touniversity but currently lack confidence or motivation

After-school debating club Mediation – for students who would benefit in developing the skills of listening, formingarguments and objectivity

Workshop: GCSE time management

Your future, your choice GCSE History Support – for students who would benefit from additional support toreinforce curriculum topics through the concept of source analysis

Workshop: GCSE Revision Techniques

Year 12 visit day Post-16 Foundations Year 12 Summer School – for students who are interested in HE but require additionalsupport researching the options available to them

Library research day (including Templeman Library membership) – for students whoare required to undertake a research task and would benefit from an introduction toresearch sources and referencing

Stepping Up 1

Stepping Up 2 Year 13 Transitions day Stand Up for Shakespeare – for students who would benefit from undertaking a closereading of a chosen Shakespeare text and exploring performance techniques

Debating: How to argue and win

Stepping Up 3

www.kent.ac.uk/outreach

University of Kent / The outreach programme8

The outreach programme begins byintroducing your students to the ideaof higher education and supportingthe transition from primaryto secondary school.

We have indicated a maximum group size forworkshops although, where staffing and schoolfacilities permit, we are happy to run multipleworkshops simultaneously to allow for a largergroup overall. If you are interested in a campus-based event such as a visit day, please contactyour Outreach Activities Co-ordinator for furtherinformation.

Raising awareness of highereducation How much do your Year 7 and 8 students knowabout universities and what ‘going to university’involves? Our aim at this early stage is to raiseawareness, engage their interest and challengeany preconceptions or stereotypes they mayhave about higher education and universitystudents.

Core offer activities

• Workshop: Build a universityThis one-hour workshop provides an introductionto higher education and prepares your studentsfor a visit to the University. Students learn aboutthe differences between campus and cityuniversities and explore the types of facilityavailable by creating their own university.

Maximum group size: 20

• Workshop: Build a studentWho goes to university? This one-hour workshopintroduces the idea that there is no such thingas a ‘typical university student’. Participants inventtheir own student to show that university studentshave different skills and qualities and come froma wide range of backgrounds. This session canbe used to follow up a visit to the campus or asa stand-alone activity.


• Year 7/8 visit dayA visit to the University of Kent introduces yourstudents to a university environment as they explorethe Canterbury or Medway campus with our studentambassadors. Alongside participants from otherpartner schools, they take part in a campuschallenge and other fun activities designed toencourage them to reflect on what a universityenvironment feels like.

You can book for the scheduled events in term 6or request an individual school visit at another time.

OUTREACH FOR YEARS 7 AND 8

Assembly talkThis 25-minute talk introduces studentsto higher education and student life.

It is designed to form part of a longer seriesof events and activities and can be deliveredto any pre-16 year group. Participants shouldonly attend the talk once.

“I liked the workshop becauseit told us what it was like atuniversity. Also, the activitieswere fun and new and Iunderstand the differencebetween campus and cityuniversities.”Year 8 student


KS3 FoundationsSome students find the move from primaryto secondary school daunting. The followingactivities are designed to develop your students’confidence and, in particular, to provide supportwith the key numeracy and literacy skills thatunderpin their learning.

World Languages DayDesigned for Year 8 students and held at bothour Medway and our Canterbury campuses,World Languages Day includes a wide rangeof workshops that show learning languages canbe fun. Cultural and linguistic sessions encouragestudents to use the languages they are learningat school or to try something new. Workshopsmay include dance and drama activities,creative writing, music and sport. Languagesoffered include French, German and Spanish,along with introductions to Mandarin, Japanese,Arabic, Russian, Ancient Greek, Italian andmany others.

Transitions activity dayThis one-day activity is designed to help Year 7students with their transition to secondary school byencouraging them to identify the positive skills andexperiences they can use as they move forward intosecondary school life. Students have the opportunity

to contribute to discussions and activities, helpingthem to approach learning in a new environmentwith confidence.


Homework clubThe homework club allows your students to focuson their work in a relaxed, friendly and encouragingenvironment, with our student ambassadorsavailable to support and help as required.

Mobile planetariumThis 60-minute session offers students theopportunity to experience an inflatable planetarium,tour the visible night sky using Stellarium softwareand view short films produced by the NationalScience Centre Creative around the themes ofthe Sun, the solar system and artificial satellites.


Quest narrative literacy projectThis six-week project is designed to increasestudents’ confidence in using a wider vocabulary,with a particular focus on descriptive languageand inference. Aimed at students who are workingbelow their expected literacy levels, the projectencourages participants from Years 7 and 8 to

Stretch and challenge

Transitions project: reflect, research, respondThe transitions project is designed to stretchand challenge high achievers in Year 7.It develops public speaking skills, researchskills and confidence.

Made up of three two-hour school-basedsessions and a visit to one of the University’scampuses, this project encourages studentsto reflect on their experience of moving fromprimary to secondary school and culminatesin a presentation to school staff about theirthoughts and recommendations.


build literacy skills through creative storytellinggames, discussion, reading and writing. Theydiscover the key elements of a quest narrative,as well as analysing how stories work; they applytheir knowledge to stories they know and theirown creative ideas. To complete the project,they develop and write a story of their own.


In-class numeracy supportOver a period of six weeks, under the directionof classroom teachers, our trained maths studentambassadors work with your students in smallgroups, providing additional support in orderto bridge any identified numeracy skills gap.


Availability of sessionsThe curriculum support we offer is resource-intensive, and so we can only accommodatea limited number of students and schools.We want to ensure that support is available forthe students whom you believe would benefit fromit most, so please speak to your Outreach ActivitiesCo-ordinator if you think some of your studentswould benefit from the opportunities we offer.


Having introduced students inYears 7 and 8 to the concept of highereducation, this stage of the outreachprogramme encourages your studentsto reflect on the different subjectsthey could study at university andthe importance of independentlearning.

We also offer sessions focusing on key skills andsupport for GCSE study to enhance the curriculum.

We have indicated a maximum group size forworkshops although, where staffing and schoolfacilities permit, we are happy to run multipleworkshops simultaneously to allow for a larger groupoverall. If you are interested in a campus-basedevent such as a visit day, please contact yourOutreach Activities Co-ordinator for furtherinformation.

Increasing familiarity with highereducationThe activities in this strand build upon those offeredin Years 7 and 8; their aim is to increase students’knowledge and awareness of higher education andits potential benefits. They also provide opportunitiesto broaden students’ horizons and to reflect on howGCSE study relates to higher education and futurecareer options.


• Workshop: University lifeThis one-hour workshop is designed to answer the‘Who? What? When? Where? How?’ questions aboutuniversity. Participants are encouraged to reflect onpossible reasons for going to university, what theycould study there, where they might live, and howstudying at university differs from being at school.


• Year 9 visit dayYour students have the opportunity to explore whatit is like to study at university during this visit to theUniversity of Kent’s Canterbury campus. Interactivetaster sessions in humanities, sciences and socialsciences introduce participants to differentapproaches to learning.

To get the most from this visit, participants shouldhave some prior knowledge about university life(through either an introductory workshop or acampus visit in Year 7 or 8). You can book forthe scheduled events in term 4 or request anindividual school visit at another time.

Year 10 visit dayBuilding on the Year 9 visit day, this visit to theUniversity of Kent’s Canterbury or Medway campusis designed to increase students’ understanding ofacademic life at university. They explore a particulartheme or subject area, participating in a livelylecture followed by a related seminar deliveredby academic staff or postgraduate students.

If your students have not already participatedin the Year 9 visit, we recommend arranging anintroductory workshop for them before attending.You can book for the scheduled events in term 3or request an individual school visit at another time.

Workshops: Subject-specific sessionsThese stimulating sessions are delivered inschool and on campus by academic specialistsor postgraduate students in a range of subjectareas, providing an insight into the breadth anddepth of academic subjects available. Exploringissues in new ways and introducing ideas fromthe cutting edge of university research to fire yourstudents’ imagination, they are designed to exciteand inspire.

To find details of sessions appropriate for yourstudents, visit www.kent.ac.uk/outreach

Maximum group size: variable, depending onworkshop

Year 10 Summer SchoolDo you have students who are unsure aboutwhether higher education would be the rightoption for them? Would they benefit frommeeting learners from other schools?

Our four-day residential Summer School forstudents from partner and KMPF schools willgive your Year 10s a taste of university life.They will live in campus accommodation,attend lectures and seminars, and enjoyexciting social activities.

Places are limited to 60 students. If you havestudents who would benefit from attendingSummer School, please ask your OutreachActivities Co-ordinator how to apply.

CONTINUED OVERLEAF



Curriculum supportThe activities in this strand are designed to supportstudents in key areas of the national curriculum,as well as helping them to develop skills theyneed to succeed in their GCSEs. Since theseactivities are resource-intensive and availabilityis limited, we work to ensure that they are offeredto those who will benefit most.

If you think that some of your students could makemore of their learning with the help of curriculumsupport, please speak to your Outreach ActivitiesCo-ordinator.

FIRST® LEGO® LeagueFIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a global scienceand technology challenge for teams of studentsthat aims to encourage an interest in real-worldissues and to develop key skills for future careers.The students work together to explore a giventopic and to design, build and programme anautonomous LEGO® robot to solve a series ofmissions. FLL is for young people aged 9 to 16years, working in teams of up to ten studentswith a supporting adult coach.

For schools that wish to participate, in-schoolsupport is available from the University, as wellas free equipment loan of the MINDSTORMS® kit.

Forensic anthropologyForensic anthropology is the application of thescience of anthropology in a legal setting. In thisone-hour interactive session, students explore someof the methods and theory of this fascinating field,such as biological profiling and field excavationand recovery.


History DayAt our History Day on campus, students exploreaspects of history that they might not encounterwithin the school curriculum. Focusing on a specifictheme, the sessions are run by specialist academicsand postgraduate students and concentrate on theskills of particular importance to the student ofhistory, especially source analysis. Students surveyvarious critical approaches, develop an informedopinion, obtain new subject skills, and have theopportunity to put questions to an expert.

Languages à la carteThis campus event gives participants theopportunity to try new languages and find outmore about studying languages at university.Sessions include introductions to a number oflanguages that are not widely taught in school,such as Mandarin and Japanese. Studentambassadors also share their experiencesof living and studying abroad as part oftheir university degree.

Maths: What’s the point? This one-day campus event invites enthusiasticstudents from different schools to take part ina range of workshops such as Code Breaking,Jengatastic!, Towers of Hanoi, Modelling, Origamiand Fibonacci Numbers, all run by students fromthe Kent School of Mathematics and ActuarialScience. Sessions are designed to be fun, as wellas educational, and to demonstrate that maths canhave interesting applications in the real world.

Science extravaganza Providing a fascinating insight into the worlds ofscience and technology, this day-long event on theCanterbury campus includes hands-on practicalactivities in professional-standard laboratories.Your students can take part in activities that includepractical demonstrations of forensic techniquesrelated to real-life criminal cases; writing computerprograms to make LEGO® models follow ‘orders’;microelectronics; and how to solve mind-bogglingpuzzles.

GCSE English Language and Literaturesupport These activities (which include classroom sessionsand longer workshops) are designed to deepenyour students’ knowledge of specific texts orapproaches to texts. They draw on the researchand expertise of the Kent School of English,and your students are supported by studentambassadors who have a knowledge andunderstanding of English language and literature.


GCSE History support This in-classroom support programme explores theconcept of source analysis using specially createdresource packs from the University of Kent’sextensive catalogue.

Consisting of five or six hour-long sessions, theprogramme is delivered by postgraduate historystudents, supported by undergraduate students,either weekly or fortnightly. Sessions can be tailoredto focus on the particular historical periods orthemes within your GCSE syllabus.


GCSE Modern Foreign Languages supportYour students can benefit from in-school classroomsupport to practise speaking and listening skillsin preparation for their GCSE exams. Our trainedambassadors are either native speakers or currentlanguage students. They work with small groupsusing a range of techniques to help them developconfidence, familiarity and understanding of French,Spanish or German (subject to availability).


Stretch and challenge

Practical science dayAt this campus event, keen scientists areencouraged to use the science they learnat school to understand how this can beapplied to the real world. Through experimentsand workshops, students learn how scientificknowledge is applied in the pursuit ofgreater understanding and innovation.

PASS mentoringThe PASS Programme is designed as a seriesof small-group tutorials, facilitated in yourschool by our trained student ambassadorsin a collaborative learning style. The tutorialsare designed to reinforce learning originallydelivered in the classroom.

Participants decide the focus of the sessionswithin subject content provided by the school.With the support of the ambassadors, theyidentify gaps in their knowledge and reviewwhat they have learnt.


“I feel passionately aboutpromoting the benefits of highereducation, particularly to thosewho haven’t considered goingto university before. I feel it isreally important to show peoplehow accessible university is, andeach individual can discover newand exciting opportunities whenthey are at university.”Ellie CarswellFormer student ambassador and recent graduatein French and Italian

OUTREACH FOR YEARS 9 AND 10(CONT)


Level 2 learning skillsThe activities in this strand are designed to helpstudents to develop the skills they need to helpthem to succeed in their GCSEs and other level 2qualifications.

Workshop: Presentation skills masterclassThis four-hour workshop can be delivered over thecourse of a day or in four separate sessions, eitherin school or on campus. The workshop developsstudents’ confidence, public speaking andpresentation skills through a range of activities.Students work in groups to develop, practiseand deliver a presentation.


Public speaking competitionTaking place in late November, this competitionis held at our Medway campus, in conjunction withthe English Speaking Union. It challenges studentsto engage with wide-ranging cross-curricular topicswhile helping them to meet National Curriculumspeaking and listening targets.

Debating support: How to get yourpoint acrossOffered in school or on campus, our range ofexciting debating activities allows your studentsto develop, question and present their own opinionsin a friendly and supportive environment.

This can be offered as a one-day on-campus event,or a six-week module (one hour per week). The initialthree sessions are designed to improve speaking,listening and critical thinking. The three subsequentsessions are dedicated to debates on differenttopics.


“I have enjoyed the debatingsession very much. I havegained skills in researchingand choosing points to provemy side of the argument.” Year 9 student



Your future, your choiceThese sessions encourage your students toexplore their future through dynamic activities anddiscussions. Working with student ambassadors,participants have the opportunity to research,debate and question what they want from theirfuture. They start to look at the steps they cantake now to achieve their goals.


Beyond GCSEs (subject half-days)Many exciting subjects that are available to studyat university are not part of the school curriculum.These half-day events, which can be offered inschool or on campus, introduce students to subjectsthat may be new to them, such as architecture,anthropology, music production or pharmacy.They are designed to encourage students to thinkmore broadly about the range of courses available.


We have indicated a maximum group size for eachworkshop but, where staffing and school facilitiespermit, we are happy to run multiple workshopssimultaneously to allow for a larger group overall.

Making informed post-16 choicesThe activities in this strand are designed to getstudents to think beyond their GCSEs. Some provideopportunities to reflect on the choices that they willneed to make regarding their post-16 study optionsand the impact that their decisions may have ontheir future careers. Other activities allow studentsto explore the range of subjects available and thedifferent career paths that they might follow.

Explore University visit dayDo you know any students who are unsurewhat to do after GCSEs? Would they benefitfrom spending a day at a university campusand meeting learners from other schools?

The Explore University day is designed forstudents and parents to explore whatuniversity life would be like. It includes asession specifically for parents, where theycan ask questions about university andstudent life.

Your students should register for this eventindependently. Please ask your OutreachActivities Co-ordinator for further details.

As students move into Years 10 and 11, the programme encourages themto focus on the future and the exciting range of opportunities available.We continue to offer support for GCSE courses and introduce sessionsto help students to prepare for their exams.


Curriculum supportThe activities in this strand are designed to supportstudents in key areas of the national curriculum,as well as developing skills to help students tosucceed in their GCSEs. Since these activitiesare resource-intensive and availability is limited,we work to ensure that they are offered to thosewho will benefit most.

If you think that some of your students could makemore of their learning with the help of curriculumsupport, please speak to your Outreach ActivitiesCo-ordinator.

GCSE English Language and Literaturesupport Please see p12 for details.

GCSE History supportPlease see p12 for details.

GCSE Modern Foreign Languages supportPlease see p12 for details.

Stretch and challenge: PASS mentoringPlease see p12 for details.

Psychology laboratory tours This activity is ideal for students currently studyinga Psychology GCSE and provides an opportunityto explore some of the fascinating equipmentused by students and researchers at the University,for example to carry out experiments involvingeye-tracking and electroencephelograms (EEG).


Workshop: Philosophy of scienceThis workshop introduces students to the key ideasand tools that researchers at the University of Kentuse to think about science and its philosophicalproblems. Designed to introduce students whodo not study philosophy to the art of philosophicalthinking, this session stretches students andstimulates debate.


After-school debating clubThis programme of 12 sessions supports yourstudents to establish and run an after-schooldebating club. The sessions are designed tointroduce students to the UK parliamentarydebating style, and help them to build strongarguments and run their debate.

MediationDeveloped by Kent Law School, this series of threeor four sessions helps GCSE students to explorethe methods used by experts in resolving disputes.With the focus on how they might apply these skillsin their own lives, students are introduced to thepurpose and benefits of mediation throughsupportive interactive sessions. Activities helpto enhance their skills in listening and formulatingarguments and to develop objectivity by focusingon the ‘bigger picture’.


Level 2 learning skills

GCSE revision skills (part 1):Time managementThis one-hour workshop is designed for those whoneed to develop better time management to helpthem in their studies. It helps your students toreflect on their practices in order to improvetheir study skills.

The workshop is aimed at students whoseattainment is lower than expected. Students whoare high attainers should take GCSE revision skills(part 2) as a stand-alone activity.


GCSE revision skills (part 2):Revision techniquesThis one-hour workshop introduces your students toa range of revision techniques, such as mind-mapsand flash cards. They have the opportunity to createrevision material and practise their skills ahead oftheir GCSE examinations.

This can be a stand-alone workshop or it can followon from GCSE revision skills (part 1).


16


What’s next? Beyond L3 qualificationsOur one-hour tasters are designed to introducestudents to subjects that may not be familiar tothem. Delivered by our PhD ambassadors, theseinteractive sessions offer insights into differentroutes to and through higher education.


Stepping Up 2: Summer startersDelivered at the end of Year 12, this moduleprovides students with the guidance they needto start thinking about their course and universitychoices over the summer holidays. The programmeconsists of four one-hour sessions and includesa short introduction to writing UCAS personalstatements, so that students can begin preparingthem over the summer.

We recommend that this module is followed by theStepping Up 2 module, delivered in Terms 1 and 2of Year 13.


Preparing for a university open dayUniversity open days are inspiring and exciting,but they can also be overwhelming. This one-hourworkshop explains what to expect and how toprepare. It helps students to decide whatinformation they need to find out at the open day,so that they can get the best out of the experience.

This workshop is aimed at all students who areconsidering university as an option.


Thematic visit daysThematic visit days are delivered by our academicstaff. Examples include:• sixth-form conferences in religion, ethics

and philosophy, modern foreign languagesand history

• a day-long event run by lecturers in Psychologyand Sociology during which students developtheir own research proposal and receivefeedback from academic staff.

University of Kent / The outreach programme

As your students start sixth form,this stage of the outreach programmegives them an insight into what it islike to study at university and whatsubjects they could study, as well ashelping them to make importantdecisions about their next steps.

We have indicated a maximum group size forworkshops although, where staffing and schoolfacilities permit, we are happy to run multipleworkshops simultaneously to allow for a largergroup overall. If you are interested in a campusvisit, please contact your Outreach ActivitiesCo-ordinator for further information.

Exploring self and higher educationoptionsThe activities in this strand are designed to giveyour students the opportunity to explore what itwould be like to study at university. For studentswho participated in outreach in previous years,the activities build on their knowledge and helpthem to focus on the decisions they will need tomake in the near future. For students who arenew to the school, the activities introduce themto higher education and provide an opportunityto talk to current undergraduates.


• Stepping Up 1Delivered in six one-hour weekly sessions duringYear 12, this module helps students to makedecisions about their next steps after school.During the sessions students discuss the benefitsof university and why it may be of value to themin the future. The module is suited to all studentswho have the potential to go to university.


• Year 12 visit daysOur visit days for Year 12 students are designedto provide an insight into the range of subjectsavailable and how these are studied at universitylevel. Some of the sessions are in subject areasthat your students are likely to be familiar withalready, whereas others introduce them to newareas of study. All sessions follow a commontheme to help students understand how a topiccan be approached from different disciplines.

The day includes a taster lecture and seminars,as well as an introduction to the library and othersubject-specific facilities such as laboratories.

The following visit days are available:• Humanities – including English language and

literature, history, classical studies, philosophy,drama and theatre studies

• Sciences – including physical and biologicalsciences, pharmacy, computing, engineeringand maths

• Social sciences – psychology, law, business,health and social care, sociology, economicsand anthropology.

Introduction to university (campus visit)This visit day is for Year 12 students who have littleprior knowledge of higher education and are unsurewhether it is the right choice for them. It providesan opportunity to visit the University of Kent’sCanterbury campus, view the facilities, and talkto staff and current students about the applicationprocess and the value of higher education moregenerally. The day can be adapted to include asubject taster to provide an insight into the breadthof subjects that can be studied at university.

Workshop: The student experienceThis one-hour workshop focuses on the realitiesand challenges of student life, such as livingon campus or at home, managing financiallyand making friends. The session provides ashort introduction to student life, and shouldbe part of a longer series of activities, suchas Stepping Up modules or a visit to campus.


Workshop: Student finance This one-hour workshop covers the four mainquestions students ask when consideringhigher education: • How much does it cost?• How do I pay for it?• How do I manage my money?• What do I get for my money?

There is also an opportunity for students to askquestions. Please note: this session is includedwithin Stepping Up 1 and should only be deliveredto students who are not participating in that module.


“We had experiences of real life atuniversity and got to experiencethings such as lectures to geta feel for what they are like.”Year 12 visit day participant


Supporting applications and thetransition to higher education

Core offer activity

• Stepping Up 2Delivered in six one-hour weekly sessions at thebeginning of Year 13, this module helps studentsto choose courses and universities that suit them,through practical workshop sessions based onthe UCAS application process.

The module is designed for students who want togo to university, or who are still considering theiroptions. Ideally, students should have participatedin Stepping Up 1 or Stepping Up 2: Summer startersbefore taking this module.


Stepping Up 3This four-hour module delivered over two sessionssupports students with the transition to university.Delivered after the UCAS deadline (15 January) forstudents who have made an application to university,these sessions encourage discussion and enablethem to ask questions about how to preparefor university. Student ambassadors share theirexperiences and help students with the choicesthey are making about university, such as livingat home or away, budgeting their student finance,navigating freshers’ week and much more.


Year 13 Transitions dayThis event gives students the opportunity to explorethe campus, with the focus on how they will makethe move from school to university. Based on thetheme of ‘What I wish I’d known before I started’,ambassadors guide students around the day’sactivities, which include how to find and usestudent support services, how to use auniversity library, and accommodation tours.

Curriculum supportThroughout the year, academic departments acrossthe University offer innovative and exciting in-schoolworkshops and campus-based events for localstudents, designed to support their understandingof curriculum subjects and stimulate their interestto find out more. These activities are advertisedin our weekly email bulletin (contact us [email protected] if you would like toreceive these).

Library research dayDeveloped for students in post-16 education whoare required to undertake a research task, theprogramme includes an introductory session onresearch sources and referencing and a Q&Asession with an academic. It also provides anintroduction to the extensive facilities, includingdigital material and history collections, at theTempleman Library or Drill Hall Library.


Stand Up for ShakespeareAvailable as a single workshop or as a longerproject, Stand Up for Shakespeare usesperformance techniques to develop a closereading of a Shakespeare text chosen by thestudents’ teacher. This approach encouragesthem to see their Shakespeare text in the round,as a piece of work for performance, and tounderstand the nuances of language andtheme through the mechanisms of performance.


Students as researchers This activity supports A level Psychology orSociology students as they work in teams tocreate a research proposal around a chosenquestion. Each team then presents their proposalfor feedback. The short version of this can bedelivered as a one-day event on campus;alternatively it can be provided across twoor three sessions in school.


Year 12 Summer SchoolThe Year 12 Summer School is designedfor students who are considering highereducation, to encourage them to explore theoptions available to them and to help themmake informed decisions about the coursesand institutions for which they want to apply.It is an exciting opportunity to spend two daysat the University’s Canterbury campus andstay overnight in university accommodation.During this time, your students experienceuniversity life, attend sample lectures and takepart in workshops specifically designed tohelp them consider their options effectively.

Your students should register for this eventindependently. Please ask your OutreachActivities Co-ordinator for further details.

SUMMER SCHOOL EXPERIENCEElizabeth Cheesman attended Summer School at the Universityof Kent. She went on to study for a degree in Film at the University.

‘The best way to describe the Summer School is as a small crash course on university life to helpyou prepare for attending university.

‘We were given options to choose what we wanted to do and this allowed us to take part in activitiesthat appealed to our interests. Also, some activities were arranged for us to take part in as a big group,such as a night out in Canterbury and another night out on campus. All the activities were enjoyablebecause they offered experiences that were new to me; staying in a hall of residence with strangerswas daunting at first but, as I got to know the people better, it became a great experience.

‘Taking part in the Summer School helped me to shape a more truthful idea about university.I came away with all my questions about university life and education answered. Before attendingthe Summer School, I thought that university was an extremely tough academic place where eventhe slightest mistake would cause you some serious repercussions; however, the experiences I hadin the Summer School reassured me that this was not the case. University may seem like a scaryplace, but once you get settled it is like a second home.’

CONTINUED OVERLEAF


Citizens’ Jury This activity provides the opportunity for studentsto participate in a Citizens’ Jury: a structureddiscussion activity based on an ethical dilemma.The activity can be extended with a follow-upsession in which teams of students are supportedto run their own Citizens’ Jury event with their peers,based around an ethical dilemma of their choosing.This is particularly useful for students taking theIBCP as it will help them to explore their topicand collect qualitative data.


Workshop: PhotolithographyDuring this practical workshop, lasting 60–90minutes, participants create semiconductors usinginorganic nanotechnology techniques routinely usedin the manufacture of computer chips. Studentsuse photolithography – the process of using lightto transfer a pattern onto a surface – to create theirown printed circuit board or design. Following this,they apply some simple analytical processes totheir product.


Level 3 learning skills

Post-16 foundations This course introduces students to the skills andattributes needed to succeed in post-16 education.Over a series of four one-hour workshops, studentsconsider their goals, study habits and attitudes tostudy. They are encouraged to develop their skills sothat they feel equipped to do their best in sixth form.


Research project preparation Taking place over five taught sessions, this courseis designed to support students who would benefitfrom developing their research skills. During thecourse, students explore how to:• develop a good research question• conduct a literature review• develop a clear research method• analyse sources of information• form conclusions.


IB research skillsThis module has been designed to help studentsdevelop the skills they need to complete their IBreflective project. It consists of an essay-writingworkshop, a referencing and plagiarism workshop,and a library visit. The visit allows students toconduct research for their project and accessprinted materials that would not be available ina school library.


Debating: How to argue and winThis six-week module introduces students tocompetitive debating and equips them with theskills of advocacy and analysis necessary to enterour school debating competitions. We can alsoprovide ongoing support for students and staffsetting up their own debating society.


OUTREACH FOR YEARS 12 AND 13 (CONT)

“I felt more confident about myuniversity application after beinginvolved in outreach. It helpedme to decide what I wanted todo and how to get there, aswell as explaining the differentaspects of applying to university.Activities such as the help withwriting my personal statementallowed me to put togetherthe information I neededto improve my application.”Romulo da Costa Oliveira ReisStudent ambassador, studying Mathematics (MMAths)


SCHOLARSHIPS AND FUNDING

In addition to the University’sgenerous income-related financialsupport package, a number ofscholarships are available specificallyfor students attending Partner Schoolsand those that are members of theKent and Medway ProgressionFederation (KMPF).

Partner ScholarshipsPartner Scholarships extend our supportfor students from local schools and colleges.The scholarship is worth £1,000 for each yearof study and is awarded to two students fromeach Partner School.

Students can apply for the scholarship if they area UK or EU student at one of the University’s PartnerSchools and have applied to the University of Kentfor an undergraduate programme that requiresthe payment of full fees.

Please visit our website for further details of theapplication process: www.kent.ac.uk/outreach/scholarships-and-funding

Student Ambassador StipendStudent Ambassador Stipends have been createdfor those who have an interest in becoming involvedin outreach work during their undergraduate studies.

The scheme offers successful applicants an awardof £1,000 for each year, alongside an exclusiveprogramme of training and work experiencespecifically designed to enhance theiremployability skills.

In addition to their financial award, holders ofStudent Ambassador Stipends receive regulartraining to develop the skills necessary to supportand, eventually, deliver a range of activitiesin schools and colleges. They gain valuableexperience through their outreach work, whichbecomes increasingly varied and challengingas their skills progress.

Students can apply for a stipend if they area UK or EU student at one of the University’sPartner Schools or a school that is a memberof the Kent and Medway Progression Federation.Please note that the number of stipends availableis limited and awards are made on the basis ofapplications and interview.

For further details, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/outreach/scholarships-and-funding

Events for parents and carersWe realise that, for many school students, makingdecisions about their educational future can bedaunting. Staff and students from the Universitycan help by working with your students andtheir parents or carers.

University information eveningsThe University of Kent hosts a series ofinformation evenings for parents, carers andstudents at a range of Partner Schools in thearea. During the evening, attendees have thechance to hear about the benefits of highereducation from a current student’s perspective,learn how to support students in selecting anappropriate university and understand the factsabout student finance and student life.

Student finance This one-hour talk for parents and carers coversthe four main questions asked when students areconsidering higher education: • How much does it cost?• How will they pay for it?• What counts as household income?• What other help is available?

The value of higher educationThis one-hour talk for parents and carers exploresthe benefits of studying at university, includingcareer prospects, financial benefits, andsocial and academic opportunities.

Parents’ and carers’ meetingsUniversity staff and student ambassadors canattend to talk informally to parents, carers andstudents at the majority of school events.

“Having delayed moving on to higher education myself, it mademe realise the importance of seizing every opportunity that presentsitself. In my work as a student ambassador, I try to impresson the potential undergraduate students I talk to that theyshould rise to every challenge before them and ‘seize the day’.”James CavalierStudent ambassador, studying for an MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

DPC 127441 09/18 PUB1130

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk

Contact us for more informationabout the outreach programme:

T: +44 (0)1227 824149E: [email protected]/outreach

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