Next Steps Programme Hazel McNeill Aimhigher London November 28th 2018

Next Steps Rationale Challenges The programme

Project commissioned by Richmond and Kingston Virtual School (Achieving for Children) Rationale: Provide a mentor for the young person to help them look at their educational attainment & personal goals What are my goals and how can I reach them? Encourage the young people to have educational aspirations and engage with their learning What would I like to do? What do I need to do to make it happen? Provide an opportunity for the young people to explore the options that are available to them post 16/18 and how they can access them. What’s possible? Had I thought about this before?

Rationale: To help the young people reflect on their skills and abilities and realise their potential What am I good at? What do I want to be good at? To provide opportunities for young people and their carers to experience what university life is like and find out more about subjects, student life, career paths What is it like? Do I want to be part of it? A chance to have a go at things! Interactive fun activities. Have I thought about this? Do I like it? What do I enjoy?

Aimhigher London: ‘Equality of opportunity’ Raising awareness, Increasing aspirations & helping young people make informed choices 50 + partners – HEIs, FE Colleges, 6th Form Colleges, Schools, LAs (London) Activities and programmes for young people, their adult carers and key support staff Consultation with young people on content of programmes Benefits of HE, Fair access, Focus on Pre 16 & Post 16

Challenges: Initial Engagement – Why should I engage with this programme? Sustaining engagement and interest – What’s the point? Fitting in with already busy lives Trying to provide a good balance of information, interaction and ‘fun’!

Target audience: Young people who would benefit from a mentor to improve academic achievements Initially year 11 and 12 – contact by telephone/email (Richmond & Kingston) Interest from others (incl 1 yr 10 & several yr 13s) Programme included both foster carers and key workers

Next Steps Programme Oct 2017 – Intro session for Foster Carers/Key Workers (FCs/KWs Oct 2017 - Intro session for Young people (YP) Nov 2017 – Matching session (YP with Coaches) Dec 2017 - 1st HE session at Goldsmiths Uni of London (ALL) Jan 2018 – 2nd HE session at St Mary’s Uni (ALL) Coaching meetings Coaching meetings Coaching meetings Feb 2018 – 3rd HE session at SOAS (ALL) Feb 2018 – Interim session for FCS/KWs March 2018 – 4th HE session at Kingston (ALL) April 2018 – Final session for FCs/KWs April 2018 – CELEBRATION EVENT!! (ALL) Coaching meetings Coaching meetings Coaching meetings

Programme - Coaching: Undergraduate Coaches from a variety of universities and backgrounds Applications reviewed and training undertaken Matching process based on background/experience/personality etc Meetings in the home every fortnight Coaching was successful and some will continue to keep in touch

When to adapt!

Communication!! Regular meeting with AfC Virtual School – Assistant Headteacher Regular contact with adult carers Regular contact with young people (reminders where necessary) through adult carers Regular reminders about what had been achieved/undertaken and how the different elements of the programme connected

Goldsmiths, University of London 1st HE session - Contemporary Art Our art gallery!

St Mary’s University 2nd HE session - Drama and Law

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) World Music Wonderful world of Korean drumming! Unexpected outcomes! Great team spirit!

Kingston University STEM & Study Skills

Kingston University

Plan and prepare for progress Study Skills session Plan and prepare for progress What are the deadlines? How many tasks do you need to complete? Do you need to undertake any research? How should the work be submitted? Do you have any notes or other materials that could help you?

Confidence Respect Perseverance Teamwork Intelligence Organisation Independence Motivation Teamwork Creativity Amazing group of people who’ve shown all of this and so much more and have heaps of potential to go on and do great things whether that’s HE, world of work, both, setting up own business etc Respect Intelligence Communication skills Perseverance

Celebration Event!! Young people making journeys across London on a Saturday to celebrate their success! Fantastic atmosphere! Not everyone attended What we’ve learned – Dave Maguire

‘K has decided to join you all on Thursday at St Mary's Uni and cancel her existing plans. She said she misses everyone in the group. She will be making her own way there’ ‘Thank you all so much for your support, it has inspired M to see that there is so much she can achieve’ ‘He really enjoyed the sessions he went to and they have helped to give him more of a long term view to his studies and school work. He is definitely working hard’