I manage St George's, University of London Pre-16 Widening Participation programmes.

These include;

Science Stars

St George’s, University of London ‘Science Stars’ raising attainment programme aims to boost local pupils GCSE grades whilst also encouraging a love for science. A select group of pupil premium students are identified by their teachers as individuals who would benefit from receiving some additional help in preparation for their Science GCSEs. These pupils are then invited to receive customised science tutoring, which is delivered in small groups by trained St George’s university students, where each session is tailored to the individual needs of the pupils.

The 20-week programme was conceived by the St George’s Widening Participation team. Local schools are invited to participate if their school aligns with the Widening Participation team’s objectives; for example if the school has a high number of pupils from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as a high number of students receiving free school meals. We are very pleased to be working again with Ernest Bevin College in Tooting Bec this academic year, with hopes of potentially expanding the programme within other local schools in the future.

Primary Practice

Primary Practice is an after-school club offering Year 5 and Year 6 pupils the chance to learn more about medicine and healthcare. Around 12 local primary schools take part in the programme each year, which is delivered by St George’s university student ambassadors at each school. Over five weeks, the pupils experience problem based learning through the story of a young boy that falls and injures his arm. Each week the pupils hear more of the story, and take part in a number of related activities, such as learning basic first aid and sign language, using bandages and slings, diagnosing injuries through x-rays and surgical handwashing. On the sixth week of the programme the students are invited to St George’s to gain a taster of clinical skills in our mock hospital wards and ‘graduate’ from the programme. The graduation ceremony involves friends and family attending an afternoon of celebrations at St George’s where they watch their children say a few words about their experience of Primary Practice and receive certificates.

Primary Practice is targeted at students from backgrounds under-represented in higher education, and is designed to support science learning, and raise awareness of the range of careers in medicine and healthcare. The project also aims to improve soft skills such as team working and communication skills and provide the students with positive role models in the form of the student ambassadors.

We are currently reviewing our Primary Practice programme, and look forward to relaunching the programme next academic year (2020-21). 

I also manage our collaborative relationship with The Brilliant Club, an award-winning university access charity that works with schools and universities across the UK. We work closely with the charity to run events for groups of state school pupils, many of whom come from communities that are under-represented at university. These events are designed to inspire them to consider higher education and provide practical information on applying to university, helping to increase the number of pupils from under-represented backgrounds progressing to selective universities.