Aimhigher is a national programme jointly funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

It grew out of the Excellence Challenge and Partnerships for Progression initiatives and operates across 44 area partnerships throughout England.

In October 2007 the Government announced its intention to extend funding for the Aimhigher programme from academic year 2008-2011.

Aimhigher aims to widen participation in higher education (HE) by raising the awareness, aspirations and attainment of children, young people and adults from groups who are currently under-represented in our universities and other higher education institutions.

The programme particularly focuses on young people from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

At Aimhigher York and North Yorkshire, we aim to create sustainable changes that will result in a greater diversity among participants in higher education drawn from the North Yorkshire area.

The role of Aimhigher is to:
• Raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE among people from under-represented groups, in line with the Government's aim to increase the percentage of those aged between 18 and 30 who benefit from HE

• Raise attainment of potential students from under-represented groups so that they gain the academic or vocational qualifications that will enable them to enter HE

• Raise awareness and understanding of the different progression routes into HE - so that prospective students understand that A-levels are not the only option

• Offer information, advice and guidance to potential students and their teachers and families

Activities:
Aimhigher encompasses a wide range of activities to engage and motivate students who have the potential to enter HE but who are under-achieving, undecided or lacking in confidence. Most activities take place at a local level which allows them to be tailored to the needs of specific communities and schools.

Aimhigher York and North Yorkshire is hosted by York St John University and offers an exciting programme to inspire children, young people and adults to explore the full range of modern, flexible routes into further and higher learning and decide what it means for them.

Our exciting programme includes:
• Interactive visits to Universities and colleges
• Mentoring and informal discussions with real undergraduate students from a variety of courses and backgrounds
• Enhanced Information Advice and Guidance – exploring hidden talents and strengths
• Theatre and music workshops with professional performers
• Curriculum-based master-classes
• Adult and family learning programmes
• Summer schools and residential experiences at top universities
• An exciting Health Care programme
•  Information and practical advice about higher education
• Inspirational speakers
• … and much more

Targeting:
In this present phase of the Aimhigher programme partnerships are expected to target priority groups to ensure utmost effectiveness. These groups are:

•  People from lower socio-economic groups
• People from disadvantaged socio-economic groups who live in areas of relative deprivation where participation in HE is low
• Looked after’ children in the care system
• People with a disability or a specific learning difficulty

Aimhigher is about widening participation in HE, but within that it is also about addressing fair access issues such as increasing opportunities for people from underrepresented groups to attend higher education institutions and courses where competition for places is fiercest.
At Aimhigher York and North Yorkshire we work with partners to identify learners with the potential to succeed in higher education but who face a range of additional barriers to progression. We then work to support those learners in order to address the barriers which prevent them from accessing higher education.

We focus our efforts on widening (rather than merely increasing) participation in higher education and believe in informed choice in relation to higher education for all learners.

York St John University. Lord Mayor's Walk. York YO31 7EX. T: 01904 876678  E: aimhigher@yorksj.ac.uk

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