Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Warwick uses sweat of current students to attract kids who don't consider university

Originally published 22 January 2002

The publication of the National Audit Office report this week called on Universities to ensure that higher education is for anybody with ability not just a privileged elite - and that is precisely the message the University of Warwick is giving this week to over 300 fourteen year old Coventry and Warwickshire school children on its biggest ever ACE week (Aiming for a College Education Week) ...but they are using bacteria grown from the sweat from the hands of current Warwick students to deliver that message.

As part of their visit the 14 year old school pupils will visit the University of Warwick's biological sciences labs to see bacteria cultures specially grown for them from the bugs found on the fingers of current Warwick students.
ACE week (Aiming for a College Education Week) was developed in 1990 as a way of promoting interest and enthusiasm among school children for training and higher education – particularly among those who do not have significant experience of Higher Education. The programme is aimed at Year 9 (14 year olds) who are about to make their subject choices for GCSE. Research has shown that this is a crucial stage for pupils in influencing their future aspirations. This is particularly important for pupils who have had limited exposure to higher education in their immediate families. The school pupils will also take part in a treasure hunt style campus challenge to try and find out as much as they can about the University and student life

Photo opportunity:
Some of the students will be in our Biological Sciences labs on Wednesday 23rd January 2002 at 11am looking at bacteria grown from Warwick Students. Any news photographers interested should report to Peter Dunn in Senate House reception by 10.50am