Widening Participation Schools activities
Please see below show an overview of the standard activities on offer. We are also able to deliver bespoke talks and workshops if you have a particular requirement.
Parents
| Title | Format | Duration | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents' talks | These talks can be tailored to meet the needs of the group. Topics that can be covered include: student finance, course choice and admissions. | 60 minutes | parents and guardians |
Year 11 - Year 13
| Title | Format | Duration | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study skills | This session can be adapted for a variety of year groups and offers hints and tips to help develop revision and essay writing skills. Topics covered include: time management, tips for effective learning and structuring study and will encourage students to make their independent learning more varied and enjoyable. | 60 minutes | Adapted for year groups 9 - 13 shortly before exams |
| Goal setting | Motivational workshop which encourages students to make realistic plans for achieving their goals and to develop strategies for overcoming barriers. This session also highlights the skills necessary for particular roles and careers. | 60 minutes | Years 9 -11 |
| Why go to university? | This talk covers the benefits of university including the positive impact that having a degree can have on job prospects an earnings over a lifetime. It also highlights opportunities such as work placements and study abroad programmes. | 40 minutes | Year 9 - all year or Year 12 - Spring term (talk is adapted to meet the needs of each year group) |
Year 12 only
| Title | Format | Duration | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choosing your university or course | This talk supports students to make informed decision when choosing their course from the 43,000 available at UK universities. It encourages them to consider career prospects, course content and fee levels. | 60 minutes | Year 12 - Spring/Summer term |
| Student shadowing | Opportunity to shadow a university student on campus and gain an insight into university life and their chosen subject. School students are matched with University of Hertfordshire students studying a relevant course | full day | Year 12 - Spring term |
| UCAS applications and personal statements | This presentation introduces students to the UCAS system and advises on strategies for writing an effective personal statement | 60 minutes | Year 12 - Summer term |
Year 13 only
| Title | Format | Duration | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|
Student Finance | Presentation to dispel myths and provide information about the student finance system. Provides information on loans, bursaries and the repayment system. | 40 minutes | Year 13 (and their parents) - Spring term |
Interview skills | Interactive workshop which gives students and overview of what to expect in university interviews and offers strategies and tips for successful interviews. | 60 minutes | Year 13 - Spring term |
Learning skills for university | Talk which covers general study skills and outlines some of the ways which learning changes in higher education. Research techniques and journal searches are covered. | 60 minutes | Year 13 - Spring/Summer term |
Student life | Talk from student ambassadors, who are current University of Hertfordshire students, covering living independently, dealing with the transition to university and the social aspects of student living. | 30 minutes | Year 13 - Summer term |
Independent living | Interactive workshop to raise awareness of the skills students need when living independently. Covers practical skills such as budgeting and cooking as well as dealing with common fears and misconceptions that students have before the transition to university | 60 minutes | Year 13 - Summer term |