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Collaborative conference for teachers and advisers returns in July 2025
We are pleased to announce that, following the success of last year’s pilot event, we are organising a second collaborative teachers’ and advisers’ conference.
The event will be held on Tuesday, 8 July at the University of Bradford. It is titled Working Together for Access and Success in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Advisers’ Conference.
It will have a diversity of student panels, speakers, networking opportunity, and a focus on reducing inequalities in HE access and success for underrepresented groups. |
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GHWY announces upcoming CPD programme
We are excited to announce our first four CPD events of 2025.
The free training offers a wide range of virtual opportunities for teachers, educators and advisers who support young people aged 11-18.
The programme’s initial events focus on Males on Free School Meals and care-experienced learners, which aim to increase knowledge and understanding of underrepresented groups in HE, and UCAS personal statements and Student Finance, which will provide key updates and understanding of changes within the Further and Higher Education sector. |
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Job vacancy: join GHWY
We are recruiting a Training Delivery Officer (Care to Go Higher programme), who will deliver our innovative Care to Go Higher CPD programme.
The potholder will also support with comms campaigns, attend Local Authority events, and support planning and hosting of networking opportunities, as well as other associated tasks.
Applications for the fixed contract role close on Sunday, 26 January. |
| Find out more and apply
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University of Bradford tops Social Mobility Index
The University of Bradford, one of GHWY's 13 HE members, has topped the English Social Mobility Index for the fourth year in a row. This means it does more than any other HE institution to improve its students’ life chances.
Some of the factors that led to its top ranking include 65% of its students being from the most socio-economically deprived backgrounds; and 92% being in employment or further study 15 months after graduating. |
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Care leavers get great support at Huddersfield, says graduate Vanessa
The University of Huddersfield, one of GHWY's 13 HE members, has been praised by graduate Vanessa Rodgers for the support she received from them as a care experienced student.
Vanessa graduated in Childhood Studies having benefitted from a range of educational, practical and emotional support from the University's Wellbeing Team and staff on her course. |
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Introduction to supporting care experienced children through the application process
UCAS offers a free online training module for anyone who is supporting a care-experienced person with their application.
The course takes you through the different stages of the application process and is accompanied by a step-by-step toolkit that explores the research phase to transition, offering practical tips and resources. |
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Focus on national awareness campaigns | In this series of articles, we look at how national awareness campaigns can benefit care-experienced individuals and how you can get involved. |
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Supporting estranged students during LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month (1-28 February) is a time of celebration; a time to honour the contribution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) achievement and influence on the world.
It also presents an opportunity to consider the challenges that still exist for the LGBT+ community and the way that sexuality and gender identity can intersect with family estrangement. |
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Upcoming CPD opportunities |
Many care-experienced students also have additional support needs, such as a disability or being from a minority ethnicity. These free sessions provide a broader understanding of these lived experiences and ways in which to engage with young people. |
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Self-paced learning
We offer a range of opportunities to upskill and build confidence for individuals who support young people with their educational progression.
Our opportunities align with the academic year, covering topics such as preparing students for admissions interviews, equipping them with current knowledge on apprenticeships, clearing and student finance.
We also offer sessions that focus on personal and professional development, such as mentoring skills and presentation skills. |
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Upcoming Higher Education (HE) events
HE events can help young people to plan the next steps on their educational journey. They offer an opportunity to visit campuses, talk to staff and current students, and learn more about what courses are available. They are free, with in-person as well as online options usually available. |
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Open day
When: Saturday, 18 January Where: University of Bradford
Suitable for anyone thinking of starting university in September 2025. There are talks and tours for all subject areas plus campus and accommodation tours throughout the day.
Support services will be on hand to answer questions and the Outreach and Recruitment Team will deliver sessions throughout the day. |
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| Interview skills webinar
When: Thursday, 23 January between 6-7.30pm
Where: Online
Hosted by the University's of Bradford, the webinar will help your young person to prepare for a range of interview formats, how to prepare and what to expect on the day.
The session is suitable for Year 13 students or those studying an equivalent qualification (BTEC etc). |
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Open day
When: Saturday, 18 January
Where: University Centre Leeds
Suitable for anyone thinking of starting university in September 2025. There will be talks and tours for all subject areas plus campus and accommodation tours throughout the evening.
The Outreach and Recruitment Team will explain how to apply, student finance, accommodation and more. |
| Book a place
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New report: Care and learning in HE
Unite Students has partnered with the Unite Foundation to commission a new report from the Social Market Foundation, to identify what needs to be done to support more estranged and care experienced young people to go to university and succeed. |
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70% of Level 3 Courses saved from defunding
The Government has announced that 157 post-16 courses will no longer be defunded. The move puts learners first and supporting key growth mission sectors like engineering and manufacturing. It has also relaxed rules around combining qualifications. |
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Support offered to care-experienced young people by our members |
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Our spotlight features highlight what support most of our 13 member institutions offer to care-experienced young people. They detail care leaver contacts, financial support, and bespoke campus tours among other things.
Each 'what support we offer' feature is regularly updated to ensure that content is up to date, which makes them a valuable resource when guiding your young people through their HE journey.
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Useful GHWY resources
Take a look at some of our free resources, which can be used to support care-experienced and estanged young people to make informed decisions about their future.
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Collaborative Care Leaver Covenant
Our collaborative Care Leaver Covenant includes information about what our 13 members offer to care leavers, along with useful tips and links.
It is reviewed every year to ensure that its information is kept relevant, with additional details being available online. |
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Learn with Care to Go Higher
We have been running our innovative Care to Go Higher CPD programme for the key influencers of care-experienced young people since 2019. In this series of articles, we share some of the information from it that focuses on educational support.
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Collaborative Estranged Student Pledge
Our collaborative Estranged Student Pledge (formerly Stand Alone Pledge) includes information about what our members offer to estranged individuals, along with useful tips and links. Additional information is available on our website that includes further support details. |
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Resources bank
Our resource bank holds a wide range of free and informative materials for various audiences to access. There includes sections on wellbeing in education, employability essentials, online taster days, and useful links. |
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Go Higher West Yorkshire: reducing inequalities in access to and success in Higher Education.
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