Projects

The Scottish Government recognises a range of barriers which can prevent school pupils from considering and/or accessing higher education. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) supports a number of national programmes (SHEP – Schools for Higher Education Programme) which aim to remove those barriers. LEAPS delivers the SHEP programme in the South East of Scotland. The University of Edinburgh provides funding and staff support, working with LEAPS to raise aspirations towards university and offer information, advice and guidance to LEAPS-eligible pupils so that they can make strong applications. Working with LEAPS, their target schools and partner institutions also strengthens the ties between those schools and our local institutions and provides opportunities for sharing best practice in Widening Participation.

LEAPS (Lothian Equal Access Programme for School) is an outreach programme, with designated LEAPS link teachers in each school. They operate a tiered approach so that schools with the lowest progression to higher education are offered the full programme of activities from S3-S6. In schools with higher progression rates, pupils who fulfil additional WP eligibility criteria are offered individualised support during S5 and S6. Activities include in-school workshops, individualised support, campus visits and conferences and ‘High Flyers’, a summer school for pupils from Group 1+ schools* in partnership with 5 local universities. LEAPS also recruit student volunteers from across their partner institutions to support their work.

The tiered approach is outlined below.  Please visit the LEAPS website for the current school groupings.

*Group 1+ Schools

LEAPS support any student in a Group 1+ school who has the potential to achieve a minimum of 3 highers by the time they finish school.

Group 1 Schools

LEAPS support any student in a Group 1 school who has the potential to achieve a minimum of 3 highers by the time they finish school.

Group 2 Schools

In Group 2 schools, LEAPS support students who have the potential to achieve a minimum of 3 highers by the time they finish school and match one or more of the following LEAPS eligibility criteria:

• student who is first generation in family to apply to higher education
• student from a low income background
• student who has spent time in care or being looked after or who is estranged.
• student who is a young carer
• student who lives in one of Scotland’s 20% most disadvantaged communities as defined by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20).

Programmes within art, design and architecture are very popular and competitive and require more than just good school exam results. For most of these courses there are additional steps as part of the application process and each university requires something different. In addition, methods of teaching and assessment at degree level in these courses can be very different compared to secondary school level.

To be successful, applicants need to be able to demonstrate their creative development and potential to succeed in their chosen visual creative degree. All of these requirements together can make accessing these courses and the subsequent careers extremely challenging for pupils from widening participation backgrounds who may not have the same networks and support as other pupils. ACES (Access to Creative Education Scotland) Edinburgh supports pupils to make strong and well-considered applications to these courses. ACES is part of a national programme, funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and alongside its sister project Reach, forms the ‘Access to High Demand Professions’ programme.

ACES activities and events typically include:

• One-to-one pre-application guidance for pupils, their family and advisers
• Advice and guidance for each subject strand and extra-curricular requirements
• Workshops on personal statements, interview techniques and portfolios
• Specialist creative workshops
• Portfolio preparation courses
• Gallery and exhibition visits
• Career exploration workshops and events
• Opportunities to meet and shadow current students

All the activities are free of charge and ACES provides materials for the pupils. ACES works in partnership with the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and the Centre for Open Learning (COL). ACES staff are available for in-demand support via phone and email for pupils, their families and advisers. ACES is a multi-exit programme, so offers encouragement, and impartial advice on the relevant subject areas, guidance on school subject choices and support with all aspects of the application process and various pathways available.

Any S4-S6 pupil in a state school in the south east of Scotland who:

• Is care experienced; or
• Lives in a postcode area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or 40% (SIMD40); or
• Is a young carer
• Is estranged from their family; or
• Is a refugee or asylum seeker; or
• Is entitled to or are in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM)

For pupils in other areas, there are three other ACES programmes which make up the national ACES programme: ACES Glasgow School of Art; ACES Robert Gordon University and ACES University of Dundee.

Law, medicine and veterinary medicine are very popular and competitive vocational programmes, which require more than just good school exam results. For most of these courses there are additional steps as part of the application process and each university requires something different. To be successful, applicants need to be able to demonstrate that they have a realistic idea of the life, skills and qualities required of a lawyer, doctor, or vet through completing career exploration and work experience. Navigating all of these requirements can make accessing these courses and the subsequent careers extremely intimidating and challenging for pupils from widening participation backgrounds who may not have the same networks and support as other pupils. Reach Edinburgh supports pupils to make strong and well-considered applications to these courses. Reach is part of a national programme, funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and alongside its sister project ACES, forms the ‘Access to High Demand Professions’ network across Scotland.

Reach activities and events typically include:

• One-to-one pre-application guidance pupils, their family and advisers
• Advice and guidance for each of the subject strands and extra-curricular requirements
• Workshops on personal statements, interview techniques and the UCAT
• Work experience placements
• On-campus career exploration workshops and events
• Opportunities to meet and shadow current students
• Information sessions for parents

All activities are free to attend and Reach can offer funding towards travel for eligible pupils for certain events. Reach staff are also available for in-demand support via phone and email for pupils, their families and advisers. Reach is a multi-exit programme, so offers encouragement, and impartial advice on the three career areas, guidance on school subject choices and support with all aspects of the UCAS application.

Any S4-S6 pupil in a state school in the south east of Scotland who:

• Is care experienced; or
• Lives in a postcode area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or 40% (SIMD40); or
• Is a young carer; or
• Is estranged from their family; or
• Is a refugee or asylum seeker; or
• Is entitled to or are in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM)

For pupils in other areas, there are four other Reach programmes which make up the national Reach programme: Reach Glasgow, Reach Dundee, Reach St Andrews and Reach Aberdeen.

The Sutton Trust work to raise aspirations of young people from low and middle-income backgrounds and to increase their chances of accessing top universities and the professions, by delivering programmes, evidence-based research, and influencing public policy. The Summer School is an aspiration and attainment-raising programme that provides school students who are about to apply to university with the opportunity to gain a complete, realistic and rewarding experience of student life.

The Sutton Trust Summer School is a fully funded (free) 1-week residential programme that takes place every summer on the University of Edinburgh campuses, as well as around the city. Eligible students can apply via a centralised registration form that includes a teacher reference but not a personal statement. Selected students sign up to two subject areas of interest to them and participate in academic-led lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work. Additional guidance sessions include admissions information, application support, funding guidance, and career pathway exploration. The Summer School also offers a full social programme to explore student life outside of academic sessions. Students are supported throughout the week by staff and current students.

120 pupils in S5 or Year 12 (or equivalent) who have always attended a state-funded school or college in the UK. Pupils are more likely to gain a place if they meet the following criteria: first generation in their family to attend university; achieved at least 5 A or B passes at National 5, or 5 A or 6 grades at GCSE; taking subjects relevant to the course applied for; have been eligible for free school meals at any time during secondary schooling; attend a school or college with a below average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education; live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education and/or high levels of socio-economic deprivation; receiving EMA.

Priority is given to those who are estranged, refugees, young carers, and are (or have been) looked after, accommodated or in care.

Young males from working class communities are underachieving in the classroom. It is important to bring relevancy to school curriculum and promote positive life choices through a medium that holds respect and value – that aligns with their identity. Through the lens of football we work with S2 pupils prior to their first curriculum choices, this is done through the local youth football teams that they play for. Relevancy is built through the stories of professional high profile athletes and student athlete role models; this narrative immediately connects through a shared language. Drawing on early notions of Olympism (Olympic Charter 2007); ‘Blending sport with culture and education’, we deliver the project through ‘the educational value of good example’ and a strong reference to the principles of interdisciplinary learning.

Educated Pass offers a series of classes each year that covers aspects of the curriculum from modern languages to biology. We also address societal issues such as human rights, health inequalities and racism – all delivered through the lens of football.Classes also cover careers exploration in professional sport and other non-sport related areas all via further learning and study at college or university. A key element of the project is also to encourage positive life choices, not just in education but also in matters of health and social relationships. The project also provides extensive opportunities for physical based sessions that illustrate modern sport science thinking and training methods.

The project has a number of partners including the Scottish Youth Football Association, Edinburgh College, West Lothian College and the Hibernian FC Community Foundation. Support is also provided by EUAFC, the Academy of Sport and a number of student athlete role models. Clubs that are invited to take part are based from East Lothian, through Edinburgh City to North Lanarkshire.