/education/clients

Aimhigher Nottingham

A Combined Approach to Widening Participation at Aimhigher Nottingham

“I am delighted to be working in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council Nottinghamshire and Connexions Nottinghamshire. With so many options and progression routes for young people to choose from it is important to put messages across in an inspiring form to help them make the right choice.”

Mary Brittain, Director, Aimhigher Nottinghamshire

/challenge

CragRats was commissioned on behalf of the above partnership to design and deliver a tour of Nottinghamshire schools, providing a structured programme of careers education. The key messages delivered were:

• Post 16 opportunities including Further Education, training and employment and how each of these can progress onto Higher Education
• Difference in learning styles
• How to achieve your potential and take individual responsibility
• The benefits of planning and life-long learning

All pupils were asked to complete a pre- and postperformance questionnaire to obtain some baseline data on their perceptions of Higher Education.

/approach

‘Widen Your World’ was a fast-paced, highly motivational, bespoke presentation package. Using humour, music and modern cultural references, the show was designed to engage young people of all abilities and learning styles, promoting both the academic and vocational learning routes with parity of esteem. The workshops encouraged young people to explore their personal potential and created a positive perception towards learning.

/results

• 97% of students described the programmes as ‘very useful’
• The communication of a number of messages through one strategic approach maximised the impact and effect of the programme
• Through raising the profile of the broad range of Post 16 Options available and effectively communicating the Aimhigher message, students were empowered to make their own decisions

Students Comments

• “The play was funny as well as informative. It brought up situations that happen in real life. It’s helped me to think more carefully about my future.”
• “I learned that there’s not just one pathway to a certain career. There are lots of routes to suit different people.”
• “I enjoyed the show because it gave us a lot of information about our career choices even though we weren’t being talked at. This was good. If it was direct it would have been like a boring lecture.”

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