Chris Rogers, Student Recruitment and Outreach Manger, the University of Chichester
Meet Chris Rogers to get some tips about supporting learners progressing to HE. Chris is Student Recruitment and Outreach Manager at The University of Chichester.
Tell us about your role
We manage outreach and recruitment at the University. Our team of three (soon to be four with an intern joining us) looks after school and college engagement with the University. We visit schools and colleges as well as attending recruitment and UCAS fairs. We visit schools as colleges as part of our commitment to local learners and we work closely with a number of schools in our ‘Compact Plus’ scheme supporting learners from year 9 upwards, introducing them to university and why you might go to university. We discuss skills they’ll learn at university: independence, personal development and academic skills.
What support / information is there for teachers and careers advisers?
You can book workshops which we can deliver in assemblies for learners from Year 9. For Year 12 and 13, we do targeted sessions including: why go, personal statements, student life, study skills and finance. You can book to visit us on campus as part of our progression days for Year 12 learners. We do targeted sessions with our library where we offer EPQ workshops as well as sessions on how to research effectively.
We run an annual teacher CPD day. This year the theme is on understanding the barriers to learners accessing HE and will be on the – 11th June. Sessions include guest speakers from Zero Gravity, a mentoring company; Save The Student, looking at financial barriers and The Student Room, discussing current student sentiment and attitudes towards university and their educational journey.
We’ll have a session on apprenticeships led by employers and apprentices and Q&A sessions with both university students talking about own experiences and admissions tutors discussing what they look for in applications. You can book here.
This month we’re focusing on education transition. What do you think the biggest changes are between Year 13 and HE?
The leap into independence. Being responsible for your own learning journey as well as learning to live independently; cooking, washing, managing money and so on. It’s a big jump for everyone and worth focusing on the life skills as well as academic.
What can students do to prepare for the transition to university?
Learn about the university you’re going to. Go and visit the whole area, not just the bit you’ll be studying at. If you’re not going to be living on campus, practise the journey so you don’t have to be worried about it on your first day. Think about budgeting, understand how much money you’ll have. Remember there are people at university to help you, although you’re independent there is a lot of student support at universities.
If you have additional learning needs, make sure you contact the university to find out the details of the support you’ll be offered. Universities usually run transitions' projects to help new students so make sure to read through all the information you receive once you accept your place. Join social media communities - applicant groups are a really good place to get to know people.
Where can they find out more information ?
There are lots of websites to support learners. University websites, Uni Taster Days, UCAS, Student finance, Save the Student and The Student Room.
What can teachers do to support their students for the transition?
Support with study skills and preparing to study independently. Talk about supporting well-being as well as academic study. Encourage them to seek support at the University they are interested in attending.
How can schools and colleges get in touch with you?
Look at our website where there is a general form for contact and events. You can email us at outreach@chi.ac.uk. If we can do it we will and if we can’t, we’ll happily signpost you to someone who can! You can find out more about the University of Chichester 'Compact Plus' scheme by emailing us on outreach@chi.ac.uk. This is currently focused on our immediate education community but do get in touch if you have any questions.