Applied Science are working with the University of Greenwich on a bespoke mentoring project as part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme to increase HE participation. As we are now midway through the project it seems a good point to reflect on the substantial progress made.
Our students first met the mentoring team at a launch event in April 2017 attending a keynote talk by Professor Ian Swain, Head of Sports Science. The mentors subsequently supported the students through the first year of their course with their practical work and report writing. They have raised the game of the students by impressing on them the standards required at University. Our groups have also worked through the University of Greenwich’s Independent Learners Toolkit, an online game experience that increases students’ awareness of university life.
At the end of their first year the students attended a DNA workshop at the campus followed by a celebratory lunch and certificate giving ceremony. In the second year, the mentors have visited on a weekly basis supporting UCAS applications; guiding our students through the process of writing personal statements. The University of Greenwich, has designed an excellent resource for constructing personal statements. This is freely available to all through the University of Greenwich Moodle.
This year we are being sponsored for CREST Silver awards which we will carry out during stretch and challenge sessions. There are also discussions afoot about industrial mentors. Our new level 3 Applied Science students are about to begin this scheme and the project is undergoing expansion at MidKent College. If you would like to talk to me about our experiences, please feel free to get in contact
Written by Alison Ackroyd, Lecturer in Applied Science.
