1. The Pivotal Role Student Ambassadors Play in Raising Aspirations and Challenging Barriers to Higher Education. By Jessica Cowen and Woody (Ian Woodland).

2. Outcome: PurposePurpose

3. Presentation Outcomes To be able to determine why Student Ambassadors are able to break down barriers to Higher Education within Cornwall. To be able to see how Student Ambassadors are key resources to raising aspirations in students.

4. Truro and Penwith College has over The past 10 years seen the benefits of Higher Education (HE) Student Ambassadors. Personal Development for our HE Students Transferable skills and experience Progression for School and Further Education (FE) students Role models Opportunities they previously were not aware of Motivation Student Ambassadors

5. Types of Ambassador Work 1:1 mentoring FE students 1:1 mentoring FE students subject specific Inspirational speeches to tutor groups Open days and evening School 6th form talks School mentoring subject specific. E.g. Gifted and Talented

6. Barriers to Participation What Higher Education actually is Money Time Motivation Family Grades Job opportunities

7. Raising Aspirations Jess Watts – BA (Hons) Applied MediaParis Waller – BSc (Hons) Sports Performance and Coaching Jenny Card – BA (Hons) Education and Training

8. To help Widening Participation a new development for Truro and Penwith College Visits from staff with HE Student Ambassadors to 6th Forms Centres in Cornwall.. A Student’s Perspective

9. Student Quotes “It has shown me that you can do anything that you set your mind to.” ‘Learning about the different pathways and how nothing is impossible’ “The better qualifications I get the more opportunities I will get.” “I now have more confidence to look at university as an option.”

10. Impact From Sport 2 ND Inspire Programme 103 ND Sport students completed a baseline questionnaire prior to all interventions with Aimhigher. Then after the university trips, and inspire day they completed the same questionnaire to determine the impact. Any Questions? For more information on what Ambassadors can do for your school, come and find me and Woody.