Next Steps South West helps young people to realise their potential

Released: 17.10.17

Next Steps South West (SW) is a consortium of universities and colleges across the South West awarded government funding to inspire young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress to higher education. Industry professionals have identified the need for such a project, and the gap between aspirations and achievement.

“…the lack is an understanding of the rules – both written and unwritten – that will enable these aspirations to be realised, largely through having no access to the informal advice and support…”  Paul Clarke, Head of External Affairs at Brightside.

“These are students demonstrating an appetite for higher education who could be successful if they are provided with intensive support to enable successful progression”. Mary Curnock Cook, Chief Executive of UCAS.

This September sees the official launch of the Next Steps SW website. Tailored specifically towards students aged 13-19, it hosts a wealth of information and resources to support informed decision making about higher education, and has dedicated teachers’ and parents’/guardians’ pages.

 “This is a fantastic opportunity for partners in the region to be able to respond to these needs and work with targeted young people who have the ability to progress into higher education.  Through collaborative outreach, we aim to raise aspiration and awareness of opportunities open to them.”  Charlotte True, Next Steps South West Project Manager.

Plymouth Marjon University is a member of the Next Steps SW consortium and Next Steps Outreach Officer Terry Doyle is based at Marjon and works closely with our own Outreach team. Terry has developed a number of projects to date, all aimed at the students targeted by Next Steps. In the summer term he ran a number of masterclasses and launched a Psychology & Criminology residential summer school at Marjon which was attended by more than 40 young people. This academic year will see projects including GCSE English and Maths interventions in schools, mindfulness programmes for sixth formers and teachers, a residential summer school, masterclasses and a programme placing University students in secondary schools to help in lessons and with extra-curricular activities.

For a full list of events and activities, visit the website where you will also find a range of inspiring case studies; a complete list of higher education courses available in the region; the latest information on job sectors; and a full list of partners with links to their websites.

Follow Next Steps SW on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to get involved with the latest campaigns, or contact nextstepssw@plymouth.ac.uk for more information.