University of Chichester pioneers online project to help disadvantaged pupils progress to higher education

The new projected named Uni4Me will give pupils, many of whom come from low participation areas, full access to free learning activities to help them progress to university.

The University of Chichester’s outreach team has helped thousands of young people across the last decade explore the benefits of higher education, including many whom are the first in their family to go university.

However the coronavirus pandemic has meant the outreach activity that usually takes place at schools across the south coast and further afield have not been taking place.

A report by the National Education Opportunities Network, which has developed the online tools, found that more than 80 per cent of higher education providers do not expect to be working in schools before January 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19.

Chichester is one of 50 higher education institutions to trial the Uni4Me initiative.

Chris Rogers, Student Recruitment and Outreach Manager, said: “As the opportunity for face-to-face support will be more challenging, this new initiative will help us plan sessions and projects in a blended format of synchronous and asynchronous activity.

“We pride ourselves in our face-to-face sessions being interactive ensuring students get to fully explore what higher education can offer them.

“We will take time to plan engaging virtual content that will sit alongside and compliment face to face delivery as we are able to get back to this form of delivery in the future.”

The Uni4Me online hub will offer free, interactive activities including virtual courses in a range of subjects led by university academics.

It will also provide online tuition and support in core GCSE and A-Level academic subjects, live events involving leading academics, students and specialist HE advisors, as well as sessions for parents and carers and virtual campus tours.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has given her backing the new Uni4Me platform, amid the upheaval to education across the UK caused by coronavirus.

She said: “This has been an incredibly challenging time for pupils and it has never been more important for the sector to give every pupil the information and support they need to choose the right pathways for them.

“That is why I am delighted to launch Uni4Me, a platform to help students with the talent and ability to access and succeed within our world-leading universities, regardless of their background. “

Find out more at www.chi.ac.uk/outreach