THE AIMHIGHER SCHEME

This is a government funded initiative which has been extremely successful both locally and nationally.

The main aim of the scheme is to provide students who have been selected for the programme with a variety of experiences that will enable them to make an informed judgement about whether Higher Education is for them. As well as raising aspirations the scheme also assists in raising students’ attainments. Additional support is provided with activities such as study skills days and revision classes. The fundamental aim is to ensure that all those with the potential to benefit from Higher Education have the opportunity to do so, whatever their background.

Students on the scheme visit universities and businesses, interview undergraduates and business people and have the option to attend courses at Higher Education institutions, including residential summer schools. One summer school includes the opportunity to attend ‘The Field Academy’ an Archaeological ‘dig’ led by Dr Carenza Lewis of Cambridge University and ‘Time Team’ fame.

Since Aimhigher was introduced at Plume the number of students progressing annually onto Higher Education has increased significantly:

2006 = 42, 2007 = 64, 2008 = 93, 2009 = 83, 2010 = 80,

2011 approximately 120 students currently applying.

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