Rising to the ChallengeImproving life chances for students – improving access to university

The Urban Scholars ProgrammeFrom principles to practice

Carole Portman Smith Director of the Urban Scholars Programme

Carole.smith@brunel.ac.uk

Programme Aims

To increase achievement To promote engagement

with learning To increase aspirations To increase HE orientation To develop specific skills

and attitudes

Programme Components

Subject-specific teaching Critical Thinking course Mentors & adult interactions Parental engagement Personal research projects Study skills Careers guidance Outside Speakers

My Future Over the past couple of years my career choices have had a

few twist and turns but I have finally decided what I want to be and that is a doctor. I know that being a doctor will be a tough job and I may face stiff competition from many other aspiring doctors but I believe in myself and know what I have to do to become a doctor.

Working with Volunteers

Seizing Opportunities

Moody’s paid summer internships at Canary Wharf

Practice interviews at Moody’s Canary Wharf

Brunel ‘Urban Scholarships’ Tata Global Beverages ‘Re-imagination Scholarships’

Challenges

Arriving herePublic Speaking / PresentationsWorking with new people Self Reflection Tolerance of others

Programme Components

Subject-specific teaching Critical Thinking course Mentors & adult interactions Parental engagement Personal research projects Study skills Careers guidance Outside Speakers

Which 3 of these components would you choose to use?

Future Plans

Sustaining current programmes

Sharing good practice Setting up new

programmes Early interventions Supporting ex-scholars