The Government has set a target that by the year 2010, 50 per cent of those aged between 18 and 30 should have the opportunity to benefit from higher education.
Aimhigher is a national programme which aims to widen participation in higher education (HE) by raising the aspirations and developing the abilities of young people from under-represented groups.
The role of Aimhigher is to:
- Raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE among young people in schools, further education and workplace learning, who are from under-represented groups
- Raise the attainment of potential HE students, who are from under-represented groups, so that they gain the academic or vocational qualifications and learning skills that will enable them to enter HE
- Strengthen progression routes into HE via vocational courses, including Apprenticeships, whether they are delivered in schools, colleges or the workplace
- Raise students’ aspirations to enter HE and to apply to the institution and/or course best able to match their abilities
- Improve the attainment, aspirations, motivation and self-esteem of gifted and talented young people aged 14-19; and the quality of identification, provision and support for those students in schools and colleges
Aimhigher encompasses a wide range of activities to engage and motivate students and young people aged 13-30 from all walks of life, who have the potential to enter higher education but are under-achieving, undecided or lacking in confidence. The programme particularly focuses on young people from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds, ethnic minority communities and the disabled.
Most Aimhigher activities take place at a regional and area level, which allows them to be tailored to the needs of specific communities. As a result the range of Aimhigher activities is extremely broad, however the types of activities listed below are common to many areas.
- Offering information, advice and guidance to potential HE students and their teachers and families so that learners are well advised about their future
- Organising summer schools, taster days, master classes and mentoring schemes to raise the aspirations and attainment of young people with the potential to enter HE
- Working with employers and training providers to progress students onto vocational routes to HE
- Working to encourage those already in the workplace to become full-time, part-time or distance learning students
Activities at a regional and area level are supported by national Aimhigher activity, including a roadshow for schools and colleges, the Aimhigher portal website and a range of information booklets about HE aimed at practitioners, stakeholders and the target cohort.
The national Aimhigher programme began on 1 August 2004 as a result of the integration of two previously existing programmes - Excellence Challenge and Aimhigher: Partnerships for Progression. Funding has currently been allocated to Aimhigher until 2006.
For further information and contact details please visit the Aimhigher portal website (see related links)