How the Uni Connect Schools Fund is making a difference
Currently 10 schools and sixth-forms throughout Sussex are receiving additional funding from the Uni Connect 2022 Schools Fund to deliver bespoke in-school projects. Devised by the schools, the projects focus on encouraging aspiration and attainment among young learners currently under-represented in higher education. The projects, which run until July, will deliver activities during the spring and summer terms. These range from a peer-to-peer reading scheme to a robotics project and an aspirational pharmacy initiative with higher-education partners.
The Academy Selsey
This project is focused on improving attendance among the school’s Pupil Premium and Uni Connect students. In addition to weekly targets set by an attendance champion and academic tutor, it is developing a tutor package, and using wellbeing-focused assemblies and online resources to develop students’ resilience, confidence and aspiration.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Sixth Form, Hove
This intensive careers programme is aimed at Year 9 Uni Connect students and their parents/carers. It aims to provide them with personalised support and guidance to overcome the challenges they face and to introduce them to a variety of post-16 options including apprenticeships and university courses.
The Eastbourne Academy
The academy is using its funding to buy robotic kits to be used during lessons and an after-school club to teach students how to design, build and program a robot. The project aims to promote teamworking and encourage more girls to study STEM subjects and consider careers in related fields.
The Littlehampton Academy
Through this project, the academy’s Year 13 Uni Connect students will receive subject specialist revision workshops and tutoring outside of the timetabled allocation, with the aim of improving student outcomes and increasing progression into higher education.
Peacehaven
This boys’ mentoring programme seeks to narrow the gap between vulnerable students at risk of exclusion and their peers across a number of subjects. It aims to improve attendance, boost attainment in English, Maths and Science and instil aspirations using sporting rewards, interventions and mentoring sessions.
Shoreham Academy
The academy’s Pharmacy Project enables students to visit Sussex University and hear from experts in drug design. By showing that anyone can, with hard work, be at the forefront of discovering new medicines, it aims to raise students’ aspirations and build their confidence by supporting them to give a presentation back at school.
St Catherine’s College, Eastbourne
St Catherine’s is using its funding to set up a breakfast club and provide small-group English and Maths tuition to Year 9-11 Uni Connect pupils. By providing breakfast, it aims to boost students’ concentration and ability to learn, while its after-school tuition will enable selected pupils to catch up on lost education due to school closure during the pandemic.
Felpham Community College, Bognor Regis
This project offers virtual work-experience options to Year 10 and 12 students who missed out on face-to-face opportunities due to Covid restrictions. It aims to give them a clearer idea of their career path and how the subjects and skills learned at school can transfer into the world of work.
Varndean School, Brighton
Varndean has set up a peer-to-peer reading project for students eligible for Pupil Premium and/or Uni Connect funding, including SEND and looked-after children. The project aims to increase students’ confidence in reading more complex texts and helping others, improve attitudes to learning and support attainment.
Worthing High School
Worthing’s History Project offers student the chance to visit and explore new places, such as London’s Imperial War Museum, and different cultures. It aims to build students’ confidence in dealing with challenging, unknown places and to engage parents with the programme so they can share learning experiences with their children.
For further information on the Uni Connect Schools Fund and the projects it is supporting, please email Fay Lofty.