Meet Chris Willshire, Cultural Capital & Careers Coordinator and HE Champion at The Academy, Selsey
This month we’re speaking with, Chris Willshire, Cultural Capital & Careers Coordinator and HE Champion at The Academy, Selsey – who supports young people to find out more about Higher Education and making them aware of what on offer to them...
How would you describe the role of an HE Champion?
Getting students to find out more about HE and raise their aspirations. Making them aware of what is out there. This is particularly important because we are in such an isolated location.
What does your role cover?
I’m the careers lead and oversee the whole careers programme for school. I arrange sessions in tutor time, trips out of school, events in school including having employers come in to speak to the students. We run a careers fair and have mock interviews. I arrange assemblies with local universities and trips for our students to visit FE colleges and universities. I meet Year 11 students to talk about their options after school and where they can progress onto. I speak with parents on the phone to discuss options for their children.
Which projects have you run with Uni Connect funding?
Last year we had funding to work with Action Your Potential for our Year 10 and 11 students which was incredibly successful. We had a fabulous inspirational speaker raising the aspirations of our students. Funding goes towards transportation; we are in a very isolated location and getting the students out to visit FE and HE sites is essential. Last year on a trip to a university a student said they wouldn’t be able to afford to go to university so we were able to explain the support they could access. That was a real eye opener for them. I was also funded through Uni Connect’s Get Career Confident programme to get my CEIAG advisor qualification which I use to support our students.
What has been the impact on the school?
Last year our Year 11 students all attended their exams and their grades improved across the board. All the activities we fund give the students something to aim for. They know the exams they are working towards to take them to the next level. Funding also enables me to do my job, if we didn’t have the funding these activities wouldn’t happen.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
The students. I’ve been here for nine years and getting to know the students and know that you’ve made a difference is really rewarding. Knowing that without the work we do the students wouldn’t have these experiences or be aware of the opportunities there are. It’s a good sense of achievement. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else or do another job.
What are some of the challenges in your role?
Lack of time. There are a lot of opportunities out there and it takes time to sift through to find the ones that will provide the most impact; least cost and benefit the most amount of students. The lack of budget is a challenge.
What advice would you give to other schools looking to support learners?
Network with other schools. I attend a local half termly careers leader forum where we share contacts and opportunities.
What advice would you give to young people and their families?
I would say, take opportunities as they arise. Don’t say no to something because your mate doesn’t want to do it. Don’t worry about what other people think. Try out new things and have fun. I would ask parents to be open minded and supportive.
To find out more about projects at The Academy, Selsey read their case study or to find out more about projects running at other schools with Uni Connect funding please contact our Schools Manager Fay Lofty.