University progression support in East Sussex

This month we’re meeting Chelsey King, Uni Connect Progression Advisor for East Sussex College Group.

Tell us about your role

I work with students who may face disadvantages when applying to university. I support students to find out if higher education is suitable for them, guiding and signposting them to additional information about their options and supporting their application process. I am also leading on a student ambassador/mentoring programme supporting our college students. 

What would that support look like?

It can be one-to-one support with me or our careers and employability sector leads at the college. It can also be talks with universities and visits to university campuses.  I also provide workshop-based learning around progression options. I signpost to resources so learners can do their own research and take the lead on their progression. 

Tell us about your student ambassador programme 

The student ambassador programme has been in development with the University of Sussex. Their team is providing training for our student ambassadors to allow us to develop the training HE ambassadors receive and make it appropriate for college students. Our ambassadors will learn how to speak about their own experiences and how to make that relatable to other young people.  The training also provides learning about professional behaviours when visiting schools and being an ambassador. 

The whole process has been developed to provide a range of experiences for our students, we support them through applying, training and working.  They apply for the role and are invited to a mini-interview, both of which provide them with application experience for future learning and employment.

The ambassadors will be part of presentations at local schools with the University of Sussex widening participation team, and in college, they’ll meet college students who aren’t as far along in their progression journey to provide peer-to-peer support in college.  The ambassadors are also going to help with some of our social media videos, showing others what college life is like. 

How do you work with schools?

My work with schools is about early intervention for transition to college to ensure learners feel confident about the transition and feel supported when they start college.  We aim to replicate the support they’ve received at school and ensure they feel confident within the college

What are the plans for your work this year?

Initially working with L3 year 2s supporting them up until the UCAS deadline.  I’m then planning on building upwards, working with L1 learners to put into place initial meetings with HE to demonstrate progression options.  With L2 learners I want to build on this with visits to HE and support with having college alumni visit learners.  With L3 first year learners I’ll be supporting them with learning about UCAS and understanding what they need to be thinking about as they progress to year 2.  I’ll also be supporting them with learning about open days well in advance to support them with making plans to attend in the summer and the autumn term.

How can people get in touch in touch with you to find out more?

They are very welcome to send me an email at chelsey.king@escg.ac.uk or to use their usual contacts at the college to get in touch.  Parents and carers or young people can also contact me directly and I’ll either be able to support directly or connect with the most suitable person in the college to support them.