On Monday 23rd May over 180 year 10 students visited 3 universities, the University of Worcester, The University of South Wales and the Birmingham City University as part of the Aim Higher Programme. Aim Higher is a partnership of universities working to support learners to broaden their horizons and make informed decisions about their future educational and career choices.

The day helped to tackle barriers to higher education looking at :

Student finance, Student life and the diverse routes that students can take into university. The day involved a campus tour, talks on student life and a Q&A session all led by a team of student ambassadors.

Students were really positive about their experiences with many more certain about thinking about university in the future. Students feedback :

‘I found out that there is student finance to help me to get to university rather than my parents having to pay. I also learned that I could have a part time job whilst studying’.

‘I really enjoyed seeing all the sports facilities and opportunities offered to students at university’.

‘You don’t have to do ‘A’ levels to go to university, there are many different routes’.

‘I found out that even though I am dyslexic I would be supported whilst at university. A student ambassador at Worcester told me that they have adaptive technology and support from the university to help them with their assignments’

Alan Banks, Curriculum Leader for Humanities, who organised the visits with Aim Higher West Midlands said ‘A recent study by Rural England Currently found that students living in country towns or villages, such as our catchment area, are significantly less likely to attend university than those from urban areas. We want to to present students with university as a realistic option for the future. Whilst, not every student will go to university the linear route e.g. school then Sixth form college. Many of our former students have gone on to university taking many different routes.‘

We would also really love to hear form recent Alumni who have gone onto university and path they have taken in order to inspire current and future Bishops students.

Please email: alumni@bhbs.hereford.sch.uk