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2008
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Aimhigher National Conference 2008
The 2008 Aimhigher National Conference will take place on the 2nd October 2008 at
the Guoman Tower Hotel by Tower Bridge, London.
Keynote speakers will be:
Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher
Education Professor Les Ebdon, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University
of Bedfordshire
Professor Mary Stuart, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Kingston University.
The day will also include a learner panel and a choice of 20 workshops covering
a wide range of widening participation related topics.
The conference programme, the awards evening programme and a booking form are all included below. Places will be allocated on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
LIFE Newsletter July 2008
The LIFE Newsletter for july 2008 is available to download here:
See also Archive Newsletters
2008 LIFE National Conference
Tracking the targeting issue: Practical approaches to identifying the target cohort
On the 29th May 2008 The Aimhigher in LIFE partnership held a one day conference on targeting at the Bournemouth Marriot Highcliff Hotel. The day brought together local and national colleagues across sectors and gave them the opportunity to listen to and discuss the issues surrounding the new targeting guidelines published by HEFCE for 2008-11.
As well as presentations from local and national colleagues the day contained interactive sessions that gave delegates the chance to become politicians as well as experiencing the 'real life' situation of coding student feedback forms to establish whether they were from a target group or not.
Feedback from the day demonstrated that delegates enjoyed the day and found it useful, despite the unexpected fire alarm!!
Feedback included:
- 'Really good, please do another event'
- 'Thank you, a very well organised and interesting event - very relevant to my work'
- 'Thank you - one of the most useful conferences I have attended recently'
To view all presentations please visit our Monitoring Evaluation and Targeting section
LIFE Newsletter May 2008
The latest LIFE Newsletter May 2008 issue is now available to download here:
You can also view our Archived Newsletters
Regional Partnership Board Feedback
To view the feedback from the Regional Partnership Board please select the link below to download:
Regional Partnership Board (RPB) Feedback letter - Word 47kb 
Regional Partnership Board Website
2008 Aimhigher in LIFE National Conference
Tackling the targeting issue: Practical approaches to identifying the target cohort
Thursday 29th May 2008
9.30am to 3.30pm
The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
LIFE Newsletter December 2007
The latest LIFE Newsletter December issue is now available to download here:
You can also view our Archived Newsletters
LIFE Planning for 2008-2011 now available to download - November 2007
The Aimhigher in LIFE planning for 2008 - 2011 reports are now available to download.
For more information and to download the reports please visit our LIFE Area Partnership Plans section >>>
Engineering Apprentices face the 'Green Powered' Car Challenge
Yeovil College has recently hosted a summer school for thirty Engineering Apprentices. Fifteen are on the new `Young Apprentice’ scheme, recently finishing the first year of the two-year course. These apprentices are Year 10 students from Wadham, Stanchester, Preston, Westfield and Buckler’s Mead schools. The other fifteen apprentices are employed by local engineering manufacturing companies and studying at the College.
For more information visit our Engineering Strand Section >>>
Institute of Business and Law (IBAL) Taster Day
Wadham School took part in a Business Taster Day delivered by academic staff from the Institute of Business & Law School at Bournemouth University in June 2007.
Throughout the day the Year 10’s worked on case studies based on success stories from Design & Engineering students at BU where some of the students have had their product designs turned into manufactured merchandise.
For more information visit our Schools, Colleges and Community Strand Section >>>
Girls can make it too!
Yeovil College recently hosted the Girls can make it in Engineering Robotics Challenge. This event funded by Aimhigher and facilitated by the Wessex Setpoint who are based in Bath University, was the second that the College has hosted this year. Forty-eight Year 9 girls from five schools attended. The schools were: King Arthur’s School, Wincanton; Beaminster School; Bucker’s Mead School, Yeovil; Huish Episcopi School, Langport and Wadham School, Crewkerne.
For more information visit our Engineering Strand Section >>>
Simulence Taster Day
Science and Drama together as one? Why not?!!
Kath Shaw and John O’Brien of Simulence brought their high quality science/drama simulations to St Joseph’s school in May 2007 to show a class of Year 10’s how fundamental science can be in practical situations.
The students were required to stay in character for much of the day as they were each given roles as doctors and as representatives from different companies surrounded by a controversial indictment where the local river has been polluted and no one is sure who is responsible but everyone is only too quick to point the finger.
For more information visit our Schools, Colleges and Community Strand Section >>>
Summer Schools 2007
The Bournemouth University Summer School (BUSS) will take place this year between 16th – 27th July 2007. 50 prospective BU students will be invited to attend this 2 week residential course.
The Aimhigher in the Arts Residential Summer School will provide the opportunity for 41 Year 10 students from across the LIFE area to participate in dance, music, theatre and stage production workshops.
The following week 36 Year 11 students will arrive to participate in the Aimhigher South West Regional Summer School programme, where Bournemouth University will be offering a week’s residential course in the Creative Industries (Media, Computer Animation and Product Design).
For more information please contact:
Vivian Dedman – Summer Schools Project Leader
Partnerships Access and Community Engagement (PACE)
tel: 01202 961239
email: vdedman@bournemouth.ac.uk 
or visit our Summer Schools section
For more information visit our Summer Schools Section >>>
Stickland’s Primary School Progression Pathway’s into Engineering Project 2007
This pilot project is aimed at encouraging children to develop an interest in science and technology at a young age - the key to ensuring that we continue to secure the engineering skills Britain needs in the 21st century if she is to retain her position as a world-leader in this vital economic sector.
For more information please visit our Engineering Strand Section >>>
‘Imagineering 2007’
The 4th Annual Imagineering event was held at the Royal Bath and West Showground (Shepton Mallet) 30th May – 2nd June 2007.
The event was centred around hi-tech, hands-on activities. This year over 40 different stimulating, challenging and ‘fun’ activities were offered, with over 5,000 young people taking advantage of trying them out!
HRH The Duke of Kent visited the exhibition, spending 45 minutes talking to young people and taking a good deal of interest in the engineering activities on offer. The Imagineering event also won the coveted ‘Silver’ award for the second best exhibit at the show which attracted almost 140,000 people over the four days it was open.
For more information visit the ‘Imagineering 2007’ Website at Bath & West 
For more information on this and all Engineering events and activities please visit our Engineering Strand Section >>>
The Big Fish
Aimhigher funded 120 budding artists from local primary and secondary schools in the Chesil Education Partnership area who joined forces with Weymouth College Arts Department and created a giant fish which now proudly takes a prime position in the College grounds.
School children from Bincombe Valley School, St Andrew’s Primary School,
St Georges School, St Johns School, All Saints School, Wey Valley Sports College, Budmouth Technology College and Royal Manor Arts College have been working on the massive project for 3 months and have together created over 1000 scales that are individually hand-tied to the giant fish structure which is 5 metres long and 2 metres wide. Over 125 kg of clay was used to make the scales before they were each individually hand pained by the students. The scales also consists of 350 recycled drinks cans donated from Asda.
For more information please visit our Creative Industries Strand >>>
Festival of Design and Innovation 2007
Thursday 28th June - Monday 2nd July 2007
The students and staff at Bournemouth University have now begun plans for the Festival of Design and Innovation 2007. The show, which is in its 15th year sees design students who are completing their degrees display their work. This year there is going to be over 170 designs and products on display from Thursday 28th June - Monday 2nd July at the Talbot Campus.
The Festival is being opened up to local schools in the area to visit on Friday 29th June. The visit is ideal for students interested in design as they will be able to visit the show, attend talks given by our lecturers, and get to experience the University in action!
If you / your school are interested in attending please contact:
Liz Gordon
Schools Colleges and Community Coordinator
T: 01202 61234
E: lgordon@bournemouth.ac.uk
For more information on the show please visit:
www.festival.bournemouth.ac.uk
Creative Steps Cross-Area project 2007
Year 9 Pupils from Cornwall and Dorset have taken part in a Cross-Area initiative to help raise aspirations, self-esteem and increase knowledge of visuals arts Higher Education courses.
The pupils have completed mixed-media workshops with AimHigher Arts Participation Workers based on the theme ‘What A Wonderful Place I Live in’. The completed artwork is to be exhibited in an online gallery on the Creative Steps website enabling the young people to share their work and opinions.
The workshops are being followed by Taster Days at University College Falmouth and Bournemouth Arts Institute where pupils are introduced to aspects of University life, meeting and working with Student Ambassadors and taking part in more arts acitivities such as film, sculpture and 3D design.
The Professor Fluffy Programme Starts in Yeovil
Children at Sticklands School in Yeovil were visited by a colourful but unlikely new member of the Aimhigher Schools Team as part of an initiative to introduce Further and Higher Education to primary school children.
>>> Read more on our Schools, Colleges and Community Strand pages
Recycling Rocks
Aimhigher supported a team of Events Management students from Bournemouth University called The Event Co. who staged a spectacular Fashion Show called Recycling Rocks. Working with Year 9 students from St Edwards and Year 10 from Ferndown Upper schools, the show featured incredible outfits all made from recycled clothing.
>>> Read more on our Schools, Colleges and Community Strand pages
FREE - Additional Learning Needs Staff Development Session - June 2007
Thursday 7th June 2007 (4.00pm - 6.00pm)
Aimhigher is aware that students who require extra support often discount progressing to further or higher education because of the lack of knowledge about what services they can access once they get to college or university.
It gives us great pleasure to invite you and/or appropriate members of your staff working with such students to a highly relevant session, as part of continuing professional development, to ensure you are able to give the best advice possible. The session will be presented by James Palfreman-Kay, Chair of the National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP) (For more information please visit the UCAN2 page of this website).
The session will include:
- Viewing the presentation available to be given in schools
- What type of support is available at college or university
- How to apply for additional support
- Tour of the Additional Learning Needs facilities
- Tour of Bournemouth University’s Talbot campus
This session is FREE and refreshments will be available. Please complete the booking form below and fax back to Liz Gordon on 01202 961240 by 25th May 2007. Places will be limited so first come, first served.We look forward to seeing you there.
Final Area Studies Report published April 2007
In 2004 the Aimhigher Evidence Programme commissioned independent consultants EKOS Consulting to give a clear picture of how Aimhigher partnerships work, what ways of working are successful and how the programme could be more effective.
The consultants interviewed students, teachers, tutors and practitioners in 7 of the 45 Aimhigher area partnerships. The research found that Aimhigher is having a significant impact on young people’s aspirations and suggests that the following activities are particularly effective:
- visits to higher education institutions, particularly residential visits
- curriculum enrichment
- mentoring
- revision classes
- support with writing applications
The report emphasises the importance of a coherent sequence of activities for learners and recommends that Aimhigher partnerships take an increasingly cohesive approach to targeting their beneficiaries and to evaluating the impact of their work.
John Selby, Director of Widening Participation, HEFCE, said:
"The Area Studies report was commissioned in 2004, to take place in 7 of the 45 Area partnerships. We expect that the partnerships will have developed their activities since this time. However the report will be of interest to Aimhigher partnerships to inform their own activities and enhance an appreciation for the processes taking place in other areas."
To download the full report please select the link below. (Once selected this document will open in a new window).
A day in the Life of the Aimhigher Schools, Colleges and Community Team - at PACE
The team are Liz Gordon, Aimhigher Schools, Colleges & Community Co-ordinator; Vivian Dedman, Summer Schools Project Leader; Tracey Knight and Jason Shanks, Aimhigher WP Assistants. The team work alongside Stella Lees, Access & WP and Aimhigher Co-ordinator and Sarah Smith, Access & WP Administrator in PACE.
The team work with target secondary schools in Dorset, South Somerset & South Wiltshire raising awareness and aspirations in students who would not normally think about higher education as an option.
For more information read: A typical day in the LIFE of the LIFE team - (PDF 70Kb)
Success Stories
Successful projects have been continually running as part of Aimhigher LIFE since it all began. We would like to share these success stories and how they really do make a difference in peoples lives.
View the Success Stories page for more information. This will be updated as more stories come through so please check back regularly.
If you would like to submit a story for this section please contact Sarah Smith.
South West Lifelong Learning Network (SWLLN) Launch Event
The South West Lifelong Learning Network had its successful launch on 12th September 2006 at the MET Office in Exeter.
Institutions, partners and practitioners all came along to celebrate the launch. The event was well attended and for all involved it is hoped the swlln will create new opportunities and improved quality of choice for learners in the South West.
For more information please visit the SWLLN website at www.swlln.ac.uk
'Learning For All... Lessons at large' Documentary
Please select the Web cast link below to view the documentary. First shown for the TUC Conference 2005 in Brighton by Congress TV.
'Learning For All' Documentary (Webcast)
LIFE Partnership Evaluation Day
Thursday 5th October 2006 - LIFE Partnership Evaluation Day at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester (10.00am - 3.00pm)
The LIFE partnership will be holding an evaluation event at Kingston Maurward College on 5th October. The day will include interactive sessions, evidence of short-term monitoring and details of the medium to long term monitoring taking place within the LIFE region. This will place a particular emphasis on the tracking project being run with the 3 local Connexions services. Although the day will focus on the work being done within the LIFE partnership colleagues from other regions are encouraged to participate.
To book a place please contact:
Ed Bickle: ebickle@bournemouth.ac.uk
'Learning Styles' - NEW one day workshops available
Tuesday 10th October 2006 - 'Learning Styles - Multi-Sensory Learning & Interactive Approaches for Effective & Inclusive Learning & Teaching' (9.30am - 4.30pm)
This NEW 1 day workshop is designed for Vocational Tutors, Skills for Life Tutors, Lecturers in FE & HE, and Managers in Adult Education, Colleges and Work-Based Learning Providers, in fact anyone who wants to get the best results from their learners and from themselves.
For more information please contact:
Elizabeth Yard
Administrator (Proffessional Development)
Learning South West
(01823) 365440
eliz_yard@learning-southwest.org.uk
www.learning-southwest.org.uk
On-line survey - Recognition & Support for WP Practitioners
A survey is being undertaken to identify the staff development needs of staff with an active widening participation role. Its results will help to identify the ways in which opportunities can be extended so that these staff to obtain recognition for their skills and to further their careers within the education sector.
The survey can be found at www.heacademy.ac.uk/survey/wp
The survey will take about approx. 10 minutes to complete. Closing date is the 10th September 2006.
South West Lifelong Learning Network Approved
On the 16th March the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) formally approved the submission of the business plan for a Lifelong Learning Network, led by Bournemouth University, within the South South West (covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and South Wiltshire) with funding of £3.4million over three years. The partners engaged in the South West Lifelong Learning Network (SWLLN) include the University of Plymouth, the Open University, University of Exeter, Arts Institute at Bournemouth and all Further Education partner networks within the SSW. The SWLLN provides an exciting opportunity for Bournemouth and its Partners to create innovative opportunities and improved quality of choice for learners to engage with Higher Education. Full coverage spanning the South West will be achieved through close collaboration with the Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network (WVLLN) led by the University of Bath.
The partners intend to develop and pilot common curriculum frameworks (focussing on Small Businesses/Public Services/Heritage/Tourism/Retail and Hospitality); progression agreements between awarding institutions and an enhanced information, advice, guidance and learner support system. The pilot will provide opportunities for further engagement with employers, work based learners and currently hard to reach rural and coastal communities.
Implementation planning is currently underway and opportunities for BU staff to engage in the Lifelong Learning Network will shortly be advertised. Stilton Studios will be the dedicated Web Designers for the SWLLN Website. Further details on the South West Lifelong Learning Network are available from Belinda Payne 01202 965954 and/or Suzanne Hume 01202 961231.
Latest Aimhigher Newsletter May 2006
The Aimhigher in LIFE Newsletter for May 2006 is now available.
Latest LIFE Newsletter May 2006 (Word doc - 611kb)
This issue includes articles on a number of recent events in the LIFE schools and colleges calendar including the Aimhigher Roadshow, a 3-day Skills Festival at Kingston Maurward College and an Aimhigher Engineering Day with Johnny Ball.
There are also reports on ImpAct Productions peformance of the play ‘NHS and U’ at local schools, Taster Days and Summer Schools as well as contact details and further links.
3rd Engineering Apprentices Summer School Planned for July 06
A 5-day Engineering Summer School is planned to raise individual awareness of opportunities to study at Higher Education Level.
Aimhigher will be funding the initiative and three area training providers will be providing the apprentices from across the Aimhigher sub-region comprising Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole, South Somerset and South Wiltshire:
Weymouth College (will be hosting the event) - Weymouth Area
University Centre Yeovil - Yeovil Area
ITE (Paragon) Corporate Training and Recruitment - Bournemouth and Poole Area
The 5th Partner will be Bournemouth University who will host the Higher Education Awareness Visit Day. The aim is to provide an exciting, stimulating, challenging but above all 'fun' Higher Education Level project.
New updated Aimhigher in the South West Gateway Website
The Aimhigher practitioner website has been restructured in response to practitioners' feedback (sourced via the HEFCE comms survey). The updated website went live on 10th May 2006. To view the new updated website please go to: www.uwe.ac.uk/widen
Study of online and other resources in the South West region
A study of information for learners on progression pathways report has now been completed.
You can view or download the full report on the Aimhigher SW website at www.uwe.ac.uk/widen/progression2006.htm
A new LIFE plan and new chair for Aimhigher
Sue Moore of Weymouth College will take over as Chair for both the LIFE Management and Steering Groups. Sue takes over from Alan Hogg who has successfully chaired the LIFE Groups since 2004.
Sue’s appointment as Chair was welcomed by members of the Aimhigher in LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) Partnership* who met recently at Kingston Maurward College for final discussions of the new LIFE plan for 2006-08.
New guidance and funding arrangements for Aimhigher were announced in the Autumn and partnerships will submit revised strategic plans at the end of March 2006. The new LIFE plan will maintain and progress the following strands:
- Governance and Co-ordination
- Schools, Colleges and Key Influencers
- Vocational Progression Pathways (Creative Industries and Engineering)
- Research
- Development Fund
The current plan (2004) has been extremely effective in delivering outcomes and meeting targets. Nevertheless, the LIFE Partnership has taken this opportunity to review and evaluate the various strands of activity and produce a more streamlined plan. Modifications reflect not only the changing context of widening participation but also the synergy there is likely to be between Aimhigher and the anticipated Lifelong Learning Network planned for the South West.
* Area Aimhigher Group for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, South Somerset and South Wiltshire
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