Widening Access and Collaborative Outreach
Here at Askham Bryan College, we believe strongly that higher education should be accessible to anyone wanting to benefit from it. Our widening participation and outreach programme is designed to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to access, attain and succeed in higher education.
By collaborating with other HE providers, schools, colleges, community organisations, and other stakeholders, we provide tailored guidance, support, and experiences. This ensures that potential students are aware of the opportunities available to them and have the resources needed to make informed decisions about their education pathway.Â
We are also interested in building partnerships and working to promote widening outreach and participation. We have created an outreach offer to provide further support for the groups of students that are less well-represented in our student body. If you would like to partner with us and request some outreach activities, then please contact our Widening Participation and Outreach Coordinator Steven McLean at steven.mclean@askham-bryan.ac.uk.
Here are the projects that we are currently involved with:
Aspire Mentoring
The Aspire Mentoring programme is a series of 7 sessions co-delivered with UCAB student ambassadors to help look at why anyone would want to study at higher education and what they can expect studying higher education.
- Why study higher education?
The first session looks at the benefits of studying at higher education and also covers what and where you can study at higher education.
- How do you apply for student finances?
The second session looks at what student financial support is available and how to apply for financial support.
- The Farm Adventure
The third session is a lot of fun and involves the group going on a farm adventure where they take part in some team building activities including sheep gathering, tractor driving, greasy pole, pig herding, tug o’ war and a farmer’s scramble.
- What to expect with student life?
The fourth session looks at what you can expect from student life and this is where our student ambassadors get to give their testimonies about what student life has been like for them. This session covers both academic and social experiences that you might experience whilst studying higher education.
- How to apply for higher education?
The fifth session look at how to apply for higher education through UCAS and look at the application journey that potential students will go on.
- 121 careers interviews
The sixth session is a 121 careers interview with a L6 careers advisor who will create a careers action plan with each student helping them to map out what their next steps need to be in order to help them in deciding their next education and career progression.
- Celebrations!
The seventh session is a celebration and a great opportunity to showcase land-based industry. It’s a day trip to The Great Yorkshire Show. Not only is this a great day out for the students, but they will also meet industry contacts and land based higher education institutes to explore their options further.
Destinations Festival
The destinations festival is a programme designed in collaboration with Inspiring Choices, York Cares and higher education institutions and Virtual Schools in York and North Yorkshire. Â This festival is designed to bring young people together to help them navigate the different education and career options and the support that is available to care experienced and care leavers, young carers, Military Service, and elective home educated students. Â We provide campus visits and bespoke offers of support.
Groundworks
Groundworks is a collaboration between Inspiring Choices and Groundworks Ltd. Learners worked with Groundwork for one day a week for six weeks in either their school grounds or in a community venue and worked towards a Level 1 Horticulture Certificate. This programme aimed to positively impact young people’s behaviour, attendance, attainment, and mental health. As part of the project this involves a visit to Askham Bryan College where learners take part in a UCAB campus visit and tasters with an in-depth tour of specific subject areas and a wider campus tour including the wildlife park.
The Place
With a firm belief in the power of education to transform lives, The Place aims to empower young people and adults to realise their potential and aspirations.
Askham Bryan College are partnering with ‘The Place’ (led by University of York) in order to contribute to collaborative outreach projects aimed at raising attainment, which builds on the impact of success demonstrated by the previous IntoUniversity project, supporting the rationale that: place-based interventions matter and to make a difference, interventions should start early, be long term and build over time.
The Place is a venue, right in the heart of the Chapelfields estate, that provides support, fun and respite for the residents of Westfield. Their focus is improving the lives of children who live in the local area. We will achieve this by working directly with young people, in partnership with the adults who live alongside them, investing in an area that has been underserved.
In partnership with The Place and The University of York we plan a fantastic week of activities each year, supported by York Cares called Engage including a trip to Askham Bryan Wildlife Park to learn about the animals and all the land-based careers that are available.
Land Based Education Employment Days
Working with Leeds City Academy, we have developed a new work experience programme for their Year 10 students. The days have been designed to inspire students and give them a real insight into the world of land-based education.