NEON Access School or College Award – Commendation
The school’s flagship programme, Realising Aspirations (RA) resulted in 85% of its cohort progressing to university in 2017, compared to 65% of the general cohort. Working in two ways: (1) Y12 RA is a subject‑centred ‘HE‑experience’ programme ‑ students commit to attending 3 ‘tasters’ led by university academics, a university visit, and two IAG events that provide an insight into key topics such as student finance and UCAS. (2) Y10 RA is a subject‑centred ‘FE‑experience’ programme for students in local high schools, providing them with 4 academic taster sessions led by our teachers across 7 different subject areas, a study skills session, a pathways evening (including HE input) and an academic assignment to complete.
Students became more discerning about course content over the year, with a 10% increase in students citing course as a factor that will influence their university choice. This shows that RA directly improves student’s ability to make a well informed decision about their university choices, which should in turn impact on retention and success rates within university. In addition they have an outstanding tutorial programme, a bespoke high achievers programme and truly exception Inclusive Learning support.