Educational Partnerships

Educational Partnerships operates a number of collaborations and projects to support the progression of students into higher education in general and Staffordshire University in particular.  Close links have been established with local schools, colleges and employers leading to the development of a series of new awards, designed for local students across a wide age range.

Director: David Jenkins

About the Programme

Aimhigher Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent

Staffordshire University provides co-ordination of the Aimhigher programme for Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.  The Area co-ordinator is Judith Robinson who is also Head of Cultural and Community Development.

What is Aimhigher?

Aimhigher is a national initiative seeking to raise aspirations and achievement and to increase progression to HE among young people. It brings together the two existing initiatives of Excellence Challenge and Partnerships for Progression (also known as P4P).

Who is involved in Aimhigher?

Aimhigher is a collaborative programme. Partners include Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Local Authorities, Staffordshire and Keele Universities, FE colleges, schools, Connexions, the LSC, Be Together and private training providers.

Who is Aimhigher for?

Aimhigher is focused on learners who are under represented in HE including:

• Those whose parents did not go to University
• Those from the more  disadvantaged socio-economic groups
• Those from black and minority ethnic communities
• Those with disabilities

It is primarily aimed at 13-19 year olds but projects also work with other age groups.

What does Aimhigher do?

Aimhigher provides a coherent and flexible menu of provision for those in the target groups as they progress through school, college or work-based learning to:

• Raise aspirations and achievement amongst learnersMake progression routes to HE accessible
• Support learners with improved information, advice and guidance
• Bring HE into a closer relationship with FE, schools, work-based learners and communities

What are the projects in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent?

There are fifteen projects in the area Aimhigher programme, plus the range of activities that run through the Excellence Challenge strand in Stoke on Trent. The majority of the projects work either directly with schools, or with parents. The remainder are focused primarily on work with colleges, training providers, or community and work-based learners.

Contact:
Aimhigher Area Co-ordinator Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire University
Cadman Building
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE
Tel: +44 (0)1782 294522
Fax: +44 (0)1782 294599

For more information please go to: www.aimhigher.org

Working to promote the active involvement of the University with its local and regional communities by:

• Supporting the development of sustainable partnerships between the University and community, voluntary and public sector organisations, as well as regeneration partnerships and cultural agencies.
• Working with partners on community regeneration and cultural initiatives.
• Developing opportunities for research, consultancy, training and programme development n the broad area of community regeneration.
• Facilitating access for our local communities, voluntary and public sector organisations to University expertise, programmes, facilities and activities.

We also lead the University’s Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF) activities.  HEACF is a HEFCE funded programme aimed at stimulating the development of volunteering and community activity among students and staff in higher education institutions.  HEACF has supported the establishment of the Sponte Community Volunteer Scheme.  Developed in partnerships with the Students’ Union, Sponte offers a volunteer placement and support service to students and staff.

Contact:
Cultural and Community Development
Staffordshire University
Cadman Building
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE
Tel: +44 (0)1782 294522 / 294116
Fax: +44 (0)1782 294599

About the programme

Lifelong Learning Networks are a national initiative introduced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in 2004. Their remit is quite specific - to create progression routes and progression agreements into and through higher education for vocational learners. Funding of £3.8 million was approved from April 2007 for 3 years until July 2010.  This Lifelong Learning Network is based at Staffordshire University which is the lead partner.

What is the Lifelong Learning Network?

The Lifelong Learning Network is a collaboration between 5 Higher Education Institutions, 15 colleges and other interested organisations. Employers are central to developments and play an important part in identifying the need for the development of new courses and new modes of delivery.  The Network supports learning in the following curriculum areas: Technology, Creative and Media, Health and Care, Public Sector and Public Services. These areas are supported by cross cutting themes of IT, Enterprise, Leadership and Management. 

What does the Lifelong Learning Network do?

In collaboration with Further Education Colleges, employers and other stakeholders, it develops new courses and modules to meet the needs of vocational learners either in work or in full time or part time education. It seeks to develop new modes of learning which meet the needs of those in the workplace as well as formally identifying, and supporting learners through progression pathways into higher education. Its focus is on all learners progressing into higher level vocational courses and is not limited to a particular age group.   

Contact:
Lifelong Learning Network
Staffordshire, Shropshire, Stoke on Trent, Telford & Wrekin
Staffordshire University Campus
C306, 3rd Floor, Beacon Building
Stafford
Tel: +44 (0)1785 353274

Director: Jill Ward

The Schools and Colleges team work in partnership with schools and colleges in the region and colleagues within the field of education and training to promote progression to Staffordshire University.  We achieve this through a range of activities, such as taster sessions, gifted and talented activities and summer schools, working with primary and secondary school pupils and college students,.

What do we do?

We offer a variety of activity to support schools and colleges:

• Taster activities:  A range of tasters is available for students which can be delivered either at the school/college or at the University.  A specific menu is available for gifted and talented pupils.
• Find UR Future: A series of workshops created to complement the Personal, Social and Health Education and Economic Wellbeing curriculum.
• Ambassador supported activities: Big Brother House, Revision workshop
• Parent and Pupil Activity Day: Targeted at year 6 or 7 pupils and parents 

Student Ambassador Scheme: This scheme gives current university students the opportunity to work on a variety of activities generated within the University.  The ambassadors support or deliver activities for young people to raise their aspirations and to provide an insight into what university life is like.

Progression Mentoring:  The aim of this mentoring scheme is to provide positive role-models to secondary schools across Staffordshire and Shropshire.  The purpose is to improve attainment for year 9/10 pupils and to raise awareness towards further and higher education.  The Scheme provides practical help, guidance and encouragement to young people who have real potential to do well at school but for various reasons may not be fulfilling that potential.

Work Experience programme: This programme provides a range of high quality placements across the university on both a full-time and extended basis.  There is also the opportunity to negotiate other work-related activity such as work shadowing.

Professional Development Conference:  We recognise the importance and implications of the changes surrounding the 14-19 agenda with regard to higher education and organise a conference twice a year to provide an update on these issues for all individuals with an interest or responsibility with regard to education.

We also manage a range of Aimhigher projects such as:

STARS (Staffordshire Access Regional Scheme) – this scheme co-ordinates a menu of activities delivered by FE, HE and Work Based Learning providers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  The activities are targeted at pupils from year 7 to year 13 and include a range of workshops for gifted and talented students.

Vocational Progression – the aim of this project is to raise the aspirations and provide progression information and taster activities for individuals following a work-based route, for example the advanced apprenticeship.

Primary Project – Professor Fluffy is a project created by Liverpool University to introduce the idea of a ‘learning journey’ to younger pupils aged 9 – 11 years.  Activities include a website activity, meeting student ambassadors and a visit to the university campus.

Contact:
Schools and Colleges Office
Staffordshire University
Cadman Building
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE
Tel: +44 (0)1782 292706
Fax: +44 (0)1782 294619
Email:schoolsandcolleges@staffs.ac.uk  

The Skills for Life Professional Development Centre is a centre for the professional development of people involved in the delivery of adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). The Centre delivers and hosts training, disseminates information and shares good practice.

Anyone who is involved in delivering or promoting the Skills for Life Strategy in Staffordshire can use the Centre. This includes organisations such as: FE Colleges, Private Training Providers, Probation Service, Prisons, Employers, Community and Voluntary Organisations.

The Centre delivers a variety of long and short courses as well as one-day workshops both at the University and in community locations.

Contact:
Skills for Life Professional Development Centre
Staffordshire University
Nelson Library
Beaconside
Staffordshire
ST18 0AD
Tel: +44 (0)0785 353355
Fax: +44 (0)1785 353547

For more information please go to: www.staffordshireskillsforlife.org.uk

SURF was established in 2000 as a HE/FE consortium for Staffordshire and Shropshire. It is led by Staffordshire University with 11 partner FE colleges. SURF’s purpose is to co-ordinate the delivery of HE awards, validated by Staffordshire University, through these FE colleges. Awards include Honours Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Foundation Years, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates and Postgraduate Certificates of Education.

Contact:
The SURF Office
Staffordshire University
Room BL166
Blackheath Lane
Stafford
ST18 0AD
Tel: +44 (0)1785 353517
Email:surf@staffs.ac.uk

For more information please visit: www.surf.ac.uk