The LPP is a unique approach to working with learners throughout their school years across all key stages. Supporting Our Learners to learn about, understand and be ready to progress to higher education.
Delivering sustained, impartial advice and guidance to Our Learners, their parents or carers and teachers and practitioners in education, to address the progression gap, to:
• Support successful transition into university.
• Deliver against Gatsby Benchmarks targets for our schools.
• Deliver against Access and Participation Plan commitments for our universities.
For Learners
The LPP is a series of opportunities to engage with higher education throughout secondary school. The impartial sustained and progressive approach includes in-school, on-campus and online experiences, all of which have been designed and co-created with our higher education and school partners.
As the learner moves between key stages, so do the opportunities to understand more about higher education and graduate employment possibilities. Regular interventions build confidence and resilience to not only practice the skills and competencies to progress successfully but to also choose the right course and navigate the pathways ahead. There are three levels of delivery:
In-school: Cutting Through the Noise
Short modular interactive sessions adapted across the key stages and covering everything from university admissions, to choosing a university course, an apprenticeship or GCSE’s.
On-campus: Explore and Inspire
Opportunities to visit one of our university partners to understand study beyond school, experience academic sessions, campus tours and meet role models.
On-line: What Next
Understanding and uncovering what career prospects are available, through professional careers panels and futures post university.
Aimhigher London are a key partner in the London Uni Connect partnership which comprises of three networks working collaboratively with schools, colleges and universities, delivering programmes and supporting learners to make informed choices in order to narrow gaps in access and participation in higher education
1. Targeted Outreach
Reaching learners in areas where significantly fewer learners go to university compared with the rest of the country delivered through the Learner Progression Programme
2. Strategic Outreach
Engaging groups of learners who are underrepresented in higher education delivered through working groups and the Learner Progression Programme
3. Signposting
Ensuring information about outreach activities, CPD for teachers and parent or carer engagements is shared with schools across London delivered through London Uni Connect and Aimhigher London marketing
4. Attainment Raising
One of the key barriers to higher education for learners from disadvantaged groups is attainment at GCSE – 2024 will see the delivery of pilot work related to two initiatives: one around raising the reading age of Year 7 pupils who present with the need for literacy support; and another which is designed to support maths teachers whose expertise is in another subject
At Aimhigher London we recognise supporting learners to progress into university can be challenging for parents and carers too
Webinars and engagements are promoted in the autumn and spring term and are delivered in partnership with our university partners – these events are open to all, if you are interested, email us to be informed of future dates
Aimhigher London’s focus on care experienced learners seeks to address their specific needs and barriers to progress into and succeed in higher education
We address these barriers through our Care Experience Working Group and Steering Group:
Care Experience Steering Group
A unique network of sector representatives including virtual schools and widening participation practitioners to:
Care Experience Working Group
Actioning delivery and engaging directly with young people with experience in care, to:
Each year we identify new opportunities through our working groups and wider networks to develop relevant CPD for teachers, practitioners and learners to disseminate best practice
Events 2023/2024:
April 2024
Learner and Practitioner Transition Conference
Aimhigher London’s Annual Special Educational Needs, Disability and Neurodiversity conference for learners, practitioners, teachers and parents to discover more about the support and advice available for learners with SEND and neurodiversity (see also our UniFish website for information)
June 2024
CPD Conference: SEND and Neurodiversity
Sharing best practice across needs for SEND and neurodiversity learners in education and progression support, along with opportunities to share and discuss the needs of the sector
Information on events held in 2022-2023 can be found here
The number of students with a known disability has increased by 47% since 2014/2015, most reporting a mental health condition, however, disabled people are still underrepresented in higher education, and those who are have worse outcomes than non-disabled students, (UK Parliament)
At Aimhigher London we aim to build awareness and understanding of the support available for these learners, and address barriers to progression into higher education
The Disability Working Group is a collaboration of school, college and higher education providers from our members, partnerships and wider stakeholder relationships, working across the education sector to
The working group coordinates annual activity for learners and staff, and develops resources to support progression
Unifish
The one-stop shop detailing support services across London in higher education institutions for learners with SEND and neurodiverse needs.
Please see the slides from the conference organised on behalf of the DWG on the 19th June at London South Bank University entitled ‘Retaining Compassion in Constrained Economic Times’
The awards are given out to staff and partners from across our schools, virtual schools, colleges, universities and local authorities who go the extra mile in the spirit of equity of access and participation for all
This year’s event will take place in early July, more details to follow
At Aimhigher London we aim to continually improve and develop services and opportunities for learners who are vulnerable
In 2022 we initiated the Inclusive Practice Framework with partners and stakeholders from the SEND Working Group. The Framework is an opportunity for practitioners to contribute to the understanding of what it means to be an inclusive institution
The Framework builds on the Inclusive Practice Award, introduced in 2020, which recognised higher education institutions’ commitment to widening access, improving outcomes for all learners and staff and driving social mobility and built on the recommendations from the Disabled Students’ Commission ‘Arriving at Thriving’ report (Policy Connect, 2020)
Previous Winners of the Inclusive Practice Award:
To join the conversation email us
