Rising to the Challenge Improving life chances for students – improving access to university The Urban Scholars Programme From principles to practice Carole Portman Smith Director of the Urban Scholars Programme

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 here  Public Speaking / Presentations  Working 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