Building Pathways funded residential summer schools

A four day residential summer school hosted by the Institute for Lifelong Learning was held at Stephenson Hall, University of Sheffield in early July. The summer school aimed to raise aspirations among non-traditionally qualified learners aged 21 and over considering access to HE courses within the region. We also sought to raise awareness by providing direct experience of study in an HE institutional setting and offering guidance in planning appropriate access routes.

Sessions involved a mixture of study skills, numerical skills and subject specific group work, including taster sessions in the arts, social and natural sciences. We also visited the University's library and IT facilities, had an evening "field trip" to Endcliffe Park, and an evening "research quiz". All sessions were delivered by tutors associated with the Mature Access (Foundation) Programme. We are grateful to Becky Ellis from Sheffield Hallam University who assisted with the general HE and access advice session.

Participants from Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Leeds represented a wide variety of backgrounds. Feedback has been extremely positive and we hope to host a similar event next summer.
An overnight residential was also held in early September for learners going directly into the second year of the MA(F) Programme.