IntoUniversity

The relationship between STAHS and IntoUniversity has been developing over the past three years, particularly in the Haringey and Brent centres. Because of this relationship, the founder of IntoUniversity spoke at the 2019 Founders’ Day service, with all collection proceeds going towards supporting the charity.

Aims

We share the aims set by and needs identified by IntoUniversity - supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education where they are currently under-represented. We work to connect students in IU centres to subject expertise (teachers and pupils) at STAHS.

Specifically, this translates into helping with revision and stretch sessions at IntoUniversity centres, helping to provide academic support, mentoring and programmes that promote young people’s aspirations. 

Background

The project has been formally underway since September 2016 following a sequence of very productive meetings with IU staff over the previous academic year. 

Resources

Teacher and pupil expertise and enthusiasm. Two staff currently working on the partnership have allocated time for partnership work. Other staff, and Sixth Form students, volunteer their time.

Impact

In 2018 - 2019 STAHS staff provided over 32 hours of GCSE and A Level revision sessions to students from state secondary schools attending IntoUniversity centres in Brent and Haringey. This included STAHS teachers attending the 2019 February half term and Easter GCSE and A-Level revision days, into Academic Support sessions, and providing UCAS mentoring and mock Oxbridge interviews by phone. A skype chemistry lesson was also set up for a Year 9 student, providing stretch teaching.

In 2017 and 2018 STAHS partnered with IU Brent and Haringey to run GCSE and A Level examination revision sessions in February half term and Easter holidays. STAHS recruited subject teachers and IU recruited students according to these subject areas. IU students worked 1:1 with teachers across two morning sessions run in the Brent and Haringey centres.

STAHS science and maths teachers also joined some Secondary Academic Support sessions in Haringey, to work with students who have requested specialist help in these areas. One member of STAHS teaching staff attended Secondary Academic Support sessions in Hariney once a week.

Pupil Involvement

Year 11, 12 and 13 STAHS pupils have helped at Primary Focus days, as well as revising for GCSEs and A-Levels alongside IntoUniversity students.

Frequency

Ongoing throughout the year, particularly in key revision holidays.