AccessHE London Uni Connect goes Online

June 28, 2018

After much planning the London Uni Connect went online on Tuesday 12 June with the AccessHE Online course ‘Adventure University’, produced by Brunel University London 

AccessHE Online is an online learning platform hosting a suite of courses aimed at learners in Year 9 and above, as well as their teachers and advisors. As it stands the platform hosts eight courses, seven of which are live, created by some of our member institutions. The goal of AccessHE Online is to be a truly flexible resource allowing for outreach to take place both in and outside of the platform.  

Delivering for AccessHE London Uni Connect has allowed me to gain more experience working with young people. Not only has it given me more confidence to teach, but it has given me hands-on experience with behaviour management and youth-led learning.”  

Abigail Waller, Y9 Lead Trainer & RBC Student Ambassador   

The London Uni Connect initiative is being delivered by a consortium of AccessHE, Aimhigher London South and Linking London. Each of the three networks is focusing on a different feature of the London Uni Connect initiative engaging with schools / colleges in 13 wards across London, all of which have been identified as low participation neighbourhoods. AccessHE London Uni Connect is working with schools in Barking & Dagenham and Havering. Uni Connect aims to rapidly increase the number of young people from under-represented groups going into higher education by developing activities that are shaped around the needs of local areas and informed by specific barriers to aspirations identified by young people themselves.  

Adventure University has been amazing so far. I have learned where to find out about the career I want. 

          Year 9 Bower Park student

I am enjoying the delivery, it’s a nice job unlike any I’ve had before. I have had a lovely week - thank you to AccessHE London Uni Connect for the opportunity. I am so glad I am doing it.”  

          Amber Phillips, Y9 Co-Trainer & RBC Student Ambassador

The Year 9 AccessHE London Uni Connect is a blended learning approach delivering Brunel University London’s online course ‘Adventure University’. These sessions are being delivered by Student Ambassadors from Rose Bruford College, working through the online course materials and engaging with learners in interactive, group activities. The aims of the programme are to develop students’ understanding of their options for the future and the variety of potential careers open to them. Students will also gain a better understanding of their personal aspirations and explore what individual steps they may need to take to achieve their goals. The programme will culminate in July with a visit to Rose Bruford College where students will take part in a variety of STEAM-themed taster sessions. 

AccessHE London Uni Connect has given me a unique opportunity to develop my confidence and teaching abilities in a variety of school environments. It’s a fantastic initiative that encourages students on both their own platform and with adult structure. It’s really great work that I would love to keep being involved in!”  

Rachel Heyburn, Y9 Co-Trainer 

AccessHE London Uni Connect’s use of ‘Adventure University’ is an example of the truly collaborative and engaging work that is at the heart of AccessHE delivery. Both projects are inherently collaborative in their nature: AccessHE Online is an example of seven institutions working toward the same goal and the London Uni Connect incorporates three London higher and further education networks, various HEIs and schools. This Y9 programme sees 80 students, across four Havering schools (Bower Park Academy, Drapers’ Academy, Emerson Park Academy and Marshalls Park Academy) taking part in activities, based on the online course, which develop their collaborative and independent working skills as well as their thinking skills. ‘Adventure University’ provides the foundation for the sessions to support students’ understanding of university and to get them thinking that this is a viable option for themselves in the future. 

In the sessions I have enjoyed the idea of personal searching and that it makes me question certain beliefs in my personality.” 

I find Adventure University interesting and helpful to use in my far and near future. I would like to have more of these lessons soon. 

          Year 9 Bower Park students

Both AccessHE Online and the Uni Connect have exciting plans for the summer and the next academic year. AccessHE Online is aiming to continue producing courses for the platform, including a linguistics course in partnership with the University of Essex and Make Happen, the Uni Connect in Essex. AccessHE Online is also looking at innovative ways to create and strengthen ties with schools, colleges and Uni Connects. The AccessHE London Uni Connect will be delivering a number of activities this summer varying from an introductory circus arts session to a summer school led by London Metropolitan University during which learners will gain a further insight into university life. 

For more information concerning AccessHE Online, please contact Vanessa Baptista (Vanessa.baptista@londonhigher.ac.uk). To learn more about the AccessHE London Uni Connect and its activities, please contact Naz Khan (naz.khan@londonhigher.ac.uk).