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Widening Participation and Outreach

Experience Warwick

ExpWarwick

About the programme

The Experience Warwick programme offers a variety of in-school and on-campus activities for local state schools in Coventry and Warwickshire aiming to inspire and inform local young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress to Higher Education. The programme provides information, advice and guidance, in addition to exciting opportunities to enable learners to make informed decisions at key milestones throughout their educational journey. Our activities have been tailored to support local schools support the progression of learners whose peers and family have limited knowledge or experience of HE.

The core aims of Experience Warwick are: 

  • To support the aspirations of young people and raise their expectations about what they can achieve in the future.
  • To encourage young people to think about their futures and support them to make informed choices.
  • To support young people to develop their confidence and resilience.
  • To provide a positive experience of Higher Education.

Contact

Victoria Hill, Widening Participation Officer

Phone: 02476 151593

Email: experiencewarwick@warwick.ac.uk

Victoria Hill, Widening Participation Officer

Key Facts

The key information is contained within this menu. Open each section to find out more.

For Experience Warwick activities, priority is given to pupils meeting at least one of the following criteria:
    • In receipt of (or eligible for) Free School Meals
    • In receipt of discretionary means tested payments or eligible for pupil premium
    • Living or has lived in local authority care
    • Living in a low participation neighbourhood
    • No parental history of Higher Education
    • Has caring responsibilities (young carer)
    Current Partner Schools include:
    • Ash Green School
    • Barr's Hill School
    • Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School
    • Campion School
    • Cardinal Newman Catholic School
    • Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School
    • Ernesford Grange Community Academy
    • Foxford Community School
    • Grace Academy Coventry
    • Harris C of E Academy
    • Lyng Hall School
    • Nicholas Chamberlaine School
    • North Leamington School
    • President Kennedy School
    • Sidney Stringer Academy
    • Stoke Park School
    • The Westwood Academy
    • Trinity Catholic School
    • Whitley Academy
    • West Coventry Academy
    KS3
    •Options Evening
    A presentation to help parents and carers understand how GCSE options made in Year 8/9 or Year 11 can impact access to HE.
      KS5
        •Application to University
        We provide an overview of the UCAS website and online application, including information on how to support the application through the process and tips on writing a personal statement
          To request support at a Parents Evening or Options Evening, please visit our webpage for further details.
            •Student Loans and Budgeting (Supporting Students with Finance)
            We help parents and carers understand tuition fees, funding and the Student Finance England application process. We also identify the costs of living as a student and how to encourage budgeting and independence.
              Advancing Access
                  The University of Warwick are a member of Advancing Access, a partnership between 24 leading universities working with schools and colleges to support students' progression to leading universities. Advancing Access provide free high-quality resources, online and offline CPD conferences, CPD sessions delivered in schools and colleges and a regularly updated blog, supporting teachers and careers advisers to guide young people who are making their key stage 4, key stage 5 and university choices.
                    Advancing Access offer support for teachers and practitioners by:
                      • In-School CPD Sessions
                      • Online CPD Resources
                      • Virtual Online Conferences
                      • Conferences and Events

                            The University of Warwick also offer on-campus activity to support teachers, through an On-Campus Teachers' Conference. An opportunity for professionals to network and exchange ideas in an inspiring learning environment. Practitioners will hear from and learn new skills from academics, teachers and admissions advisers.
                            •Bright Stars Programme
                              To be redirected to the Bright Stars page please click the link below.

                              Bright Stars Information

                              In School/College Activity
                                •What are My Options?
                                Through the use of a workbook students reflect on their GCSE/BTEC options to help them access Higher Education (HE) in the future and think about different careers.
                                  •Campus Challenge
                                  A hands-on innovative introduction to university life, students discover the benefits of accessing HE through creating their own university.
                                    On Campus Activity
                                      •University Taster Days - Year 9
                                      Arriving at Warwick, students hear about university life from current students and have an opportunity to experience a campus-style university. Students then meet academics, take part in mini subject lectures and discover the vast resources in the Library.
                                      In-school/College Activities
                                        •Next Steps
                                        Through the use of a workbook students learn how to research the next steps after school and consider various options to continue their Higher Education (HE) journey to university and beyond.
                                        •Student Life
                                        An introduction to university life exploring the differences between school and Higher Education. This session is led by current undergraduate students from the university.
                                        •Student Study Skills
                                        A session led by current student ambassadors from the University, exploring a range of study skills including effective reading techniques, critical thinking and writing styles.
                                        •Exam Revision
                                        A session led by current student ambassadors from the University, exploring a range of exam revision techniques and top tips whilst sharing best practice.
                                          On Campus Activity
                                            •Preparing for university - Year 10
                                            A series of bite-sized workshops to help students prepare for and make the most of their university experience. To add independent study skills, giving presentations, enhancing interview techniques, effective research and note taking.

                                              •Experience Warwick - Year 10 Summer School

                                              This summer school will offer participants the opportunity to undertake a wide variety of academic sessions delivered by University lecturers and staff, as well as taking part in non-academic activities.Participants will also be able to interact with the Student Ambassadors who are current students at the University and will act as Group Leaders during the event.

                                              Please note we are currently reviewing activities for KS3 and KS4 for the upcoming 2019/20 academic year and hope to have more information later this year.

                                              In the meantime if you would like some further details or express an interest in the programme please contact us by emailing experiencewarwick@warwick.ac.uk