School and College visits (post-16) An extensive programme provides guidance and advice on applications to higher education, student finance, welfare provision, and raising awareness of higher education opportunities to an audience of potential applicants and/or their parents. The information and guidance is not specific to Essex, but aimed to give an unbiased and comprehensive indication of opportunities and to break down barriers to higher education progression.
School and College. Visits (post-16) - A programme of visits to post-16 institutions is in place, providing guidance and advice on applications to higher education, student finance, welfare provision, and raising awareness of HE opportunities to an audience of potential applicants and/or their parents. In all instances the information and guidance is not specific to Essex, but aimed to give an unbiased and comprehensive indication of HE opportunities and to break down barriers to HE progression. Visits are made in Essex, Southend, Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Suffolk (78 visits during 2003-2004, representing 50% of institutions in these areas), with further visits to another 42 post-16 institutions elsewhere in England, the majority of which are schools and colleges in low participation neighbourhoods. This represents a significant increase in widening participation activity since 1994-1995 when schools liaison outreach was first organised in its current form at Essex and when 39 visits were made to local schools and colleges and 31 visits to institutions elsewhere in England. Pre-16 awareness-raising and guidance activities in schools - The University has also built up a range of activities aimed at encouraging participation and raising awareness amongst pre-16 year old students and their parents from low participation neighbourhoods. During 2003-2004 the University ran a mentoring scheme in three local schools, providing ten mentors for 33 pupils identified by staff in the schools as being likely to benefit from having positive role models. During the 2004-05 academic year this was increased to support 63 pupils with 21 mentors, all of whom have been trained and CRB-checked. In addition the University has established a pilot scheme with a local specialist Sports College to provide a sports mentor to assist with coaching activities. During 2003-2004 the University sent staff and student ambassadors to 21 guidance evenings aimed at students in years 7-11, and participated in two ACE day activities for schools in low participation neighbourhoods in Colchester. Pre-16 awareness and guidance activities on campus - In conjunction with a range of other HE and FE providers in the region, the University has co-ordinated five Young People into HE programmes aimed at Year 8 and 9 pupils in Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Southend and Canvey Island. In all cases this has involved three day programmes that include visits and activities in FE a...
