An Economics workshop on the Next Steps SW Higher Education Roadshow Bus at Exmouth Community College 

Higher Education roadshow aims to reach 3,000 pupils in South West

HE Advisers and academics, including those from the University of Exeter, are on hand to give advice to thousands of young people on a special Higher Education Roadshow which is visiting schools and colleges across the south west until October 19^th.

For the second year running, the Next Steps South West double decker will visit 28 schools and colleges in total over 6 weeks in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset as it aims to inspire and inform young people on the higher education options available after GCSE’s.

The roadshow has also visited Truro and Plymouth city centres for community days offering access to free, personalised and impartial support for young people and their parents and carers.

On board the NSSW team and Student Ambassadors have been handing out information and advice on which direction to take explaining the benefits of higher education, courses in the area and offering interactive ways to help plan a possible future.

Staff have also been providing information about Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships, Virtual Reality campus tours and interactive careers signposting.

Young people at the schools and colleges the bus has visited have had the unique opportunity to take part in masterclasses from visiting higher education academics, including academics from the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Business School and Law department offering insights into cutting edge technology and research. Students have also taken part in challenges to develop their key skills and made use of materials with information and guidance designed to make their journey to higher education clear and stress-free.

Taylor Wearne, Outreach Officer for Next Steps South West at the University of Exeter, has been on board the bus at local Exeter schools in early October, adding: “We aim to provide 3,000 students across the south west with the opportunity to jump on board the Higher Education Roadshow. It has been fantastic for the students to engage with student ambassadors to get a flavour of what higher education is all about as well as having taster sessions from academics in a wide variety of subjects.”

Next Steps South West is part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme, funded by the Office for Students, which offers support to eligible students in Year 9 to 13.

The programme aims to raise aspirations, attainment, awareness and access to higher education, including degree apprenticeships. The consortium consists of fourteen higher education institutions across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, namely: City College Plymouth, Exeter College, South Devon College, Falmouth University, Petroc, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth Marjon University, University of Plymouth, Strode College, The Cornwall College Group, Truro and Penwith College, University Centre Somerset, Yeovil College University Centre and University of Exeter.

Date: 10 October 2018