ACCESS RGU Partner Schools Newsletter - September 2014

Access RGU

ACCESS RGU

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

Study Skills and Access Unit access@rgu.ac.uk / 01224 263096

ACCESS RGU ACCESS RGU

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

Dear Colleagues, The new term is here and brings with it the latest issue of the ACCESS RGU Partner Schools Newsletter!

In this issue, we report on our new ACCESS RGU webpages and dedicated Facebook page. It’s going to be a fast paced semester and I encourage all schools and partners to ‘like’ the ACCESS RGU Facebook and Twitter feeds so you can keep up to date with our projects and new engagement opportunities for pupils.

Meanwhile, the good news continues for the ‘Access To’ on campus subject focused programme as, thanks to the hard work of the team and support from school staff - not to mention positive word of mouth from former participants - we are pleased to report that S5 and S6 registrations to participate in the 2014/15 programme have exceeded our expectations. The Newsletter also takes a moment to reflect on the achievements of last year’s art and design subject focused (ACES) participants, including a case study feature on Jade Gilbert, a very talented and hardworking Northfield Academy pupil who we are delighted will be enrolling with RGU in September. Word reaches us that Jade is keen to support this year’s ACES programme in the role of Student Ambassador!

Our outreach activities are much enhanced from the input of student ambassadors who, in sharing their own learner journeys, inspire pupils to engage in progressing towards higher education. Our initiatives similarly benefit from the input of business representatives. During 2014/15 the team will be developing further business links to enhance its wider access provision and, as reported in this issue, we have already secured a new stream of wider access scholarships in the fields of art and design, business and engineering thanks to the generosity of businesses operating in the region.

Understanding the needs of pupils is critical to ensuring that ACCESS RGU activities are designed and delivered in such a way to support our client group to transition successfully into higher education.

On that note, this edition’s case study theme continues as we profile the work of our colleague, Ruth Wilson, who provides a vital research and analysis role for the team.

We continue to recognise that the support of colleagues in the local authority and in partner schools is a big part of the ACCESS RGU programme’s success in engaging effectively with pupils. Our recent review meetings with schools and strategic colleagues in Aberdeen City Council were most informative and have shaped delivery planning for the year ahead.

Finally, please take note of our Insider’s Guide to UCAS and Study Skills events coming up this semester. More information is enclosed but we would advise that pupils register early for these events as demand for places is anticipated to be high this year.

Regards, Elaine Sinclair Senior Project Coordinator, Study Skills and Access Unit access@rgu.ac.uk, 01224 263048

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

ACCESS RGU

What’s new at ACCESS RGU ACCESS RGU Online The new ACCESS RGU website, Facebook and Twitter pages are now up and running. The pages showcase the work of students and staff who are involved in the range of ACCESS RGU activities held on campus and in partner schools. This includes our ‘Access To’ programmes, on campus events and school workshops.

The pages provide an informal area, where you can keep up to date with everything our students and staff have been getting up to. If your pupils are on one of our programmes or are interested in joining us next year, please encourage them to log in and like our page and follow us. We hope you enjoy our new pages; feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Website:

www.rgu.ac.uk/access-rgu

Facebook: www.facebook.com/accessrgu Twitter:

@RGU_StudySkills

Update on ACCESS RGU Scholarships ACCESS RGU has recently launched a new scholarship scheme specifically targeted at wider access students. In association with The Robert Gordon Foundation - a new venture for the university, established to undertake philanthropic fundraising - three scholarship opportunities are currently open to application from students enrolling in the first year of their undergraduate degree in either the School of Engineering, Aberdeen Business School or Gray’s School of Art. We are delighted that our donors can provide such generous support to prospective RGU students. This will go a long way towards removing the financial barriers that some young people may face when considering going to university.

Eligible applicants have been invited to apply for the 2014/2015 opportunities, with the successful applicants being announced at the end of September.

For more information please visit www.rgu.ac.uk/access-rgu-scholarships

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

ACCESS RGU

Access To - What’s been happening...

The end of the summer term saw the final

Meanwhile over the summer break existing

delivery of what has been a hugely successful

programmes

year for RGU’s ‘Access To’ programmes. With

improved in direct response to pupil and tutor

courses running in 4 subject areas and 75

feedback. We are confident that the changes

pupils attending campus we achieved our aim

we have made to content and method of

of increasing pupils’ aspirations to engage in

delivery will further enhance the learning

higher education and improving their capacity

experience for pupils. One major change is that

to secure an offer. We are delighted to report

all courses will now run during Semester 1 at

that, of the 26 ‘Access To’ pupils who applied

RGU. Pupils will join us in September/October

to RGU, 21 initially received offers. Following

and attend weekly sessions until the Christmas

the long awaited exam results, 18 of those

holidays. For those intending to make an

have been successful in securing their place.

application

The success of the programme has also

programme delivery to more closely align with

inspired this year’s S5&6 pupils to apply to the 2014/15 courses.

Programmes will run in 5

subject areas:

allows

the UCAS cycle. It also offers the benefit of allowing pupils to focus on exam attainment in the New Year.

We hope to pilot programmes in new subject areas during Semester 2 with a view to

Health Professions

streamlining these programmes into the main

Management

delivery phase the following year. We will of

The response from pupils has been fantastic.

We currently have 114 applications and happily we have been able to offer all applicants a much

look

forward

to

welcoming this new group of students to campus. Limited places are still available on all courses with the exception of Management.

Pupils must apply by a deadline of 1st September to be considered for these final places.

this

and

of introducing new ‘Access To’ subject areas.

Forensic & Analytical Science

very

university,

reviewed

different departments to discuss the possibility

Communication & Media

We

to

been

We continue to engage with colleagues across

Art & Architecture

place.

have

course keep you up to date with any new developments.

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

ACCESS ACCESSRGU RGU

Focus on ACES Last October 20 pupils from city schools, including Torry,

Northfield,

St

Machar

and

Hazlehead

Academies, embarked on a 15 week art and architecture course as part of the Access to Creative Education Scotland (ACES) programme at RGU. Working with tutors from Gray’s School of Art and Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, the pupils had the opportunity to engage in subject-focused work and learn a variety of new skills.

Those on the architecture course worked with current RGU students to design, develop and produce seating and chairs which could be produced at 1:1 scale using cardboard.

Designs

from

Mark

Manson

from

Hazlehead Academy and Liam Adams from St Machar Academy

were

taken

forward

with

Mark’s

design then selected to be made into a prototype chair.

Pupils following the art and design programme explored the theme of transformation through two projects. The upcycling project challenged pupils to deconstruct a shirt and reuse the raw materials to create new items. Developing their drawing skills in the second project, pupils were given a random domestic item and asked to investigate ideas by exploring the perspectives of material, image and object.

continued...

ACCESS ACCESSRGU

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

Focus on ACES To mark the end of the course in June, parents, teachers and local authority partners were invited to share in the pupils’ journey. A digital exhibition of their work and the completed chair design were also on display. A time-lapse video of their work is available at www.facebook.com/accessrgu and www.rgu.ac.uk/access-rgu. Pupils received a certificate of participation and a high profile design publication to provide further inspiration to this group of budding artists, designers and architects. Also present was John Halliday from architecture firm Halliday Fraser Munro, who was able to share his personal story and ambition with pupils.

As pupils reached the end of their taster experience with RGU we were particularly pleased that a number of them chose to apply to study undergraduate courses in art, design and architecture with 8 pupils accepting unconditional offers to study undergraduate courses at Gray’s and Scott Sutherland Schools. We very much look forward to welcoming them back to campus in September as they continue with their creative learning journeys.

ACES participants celebrating their achievements with their tutors at the End of Course Event in Scott Sutherland School of Architecture

ACCESS ACCESSRGU

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

Spotlight on ACES participant Jade Gilbert Alongside her creative peers on the Access to

Creative

Education

Scotland

(ACES)

programme, Jade Gilbert, a 6th year pupil from Northfield Academy, has achieved success through her participation in the Art & Design strand of the programme.

On exam results day all Jade’s hard work and commitment paid off when she achieved the grades she needed to secure a place on her chosen

degree

course

BA

(Hons)

Contemporary Art Practice. A thrilled Jade describes the moment:

“This for me was something that I had been aspiring and working toward since I was in primary school, it had always been my dream to take my art through school and on to the Gray’s School of Art and then further into a career. When it finally came true it was almost unbelievable, but at the same time it was a huge relief, as it was like all my hard work and effort at school had finally paid off.”

Reflecting on her experience of being part of

welcome Jade back to ACES to encourage

the ACES programme, Jade explains how she

and support her to take her creative ideas to

first

her

the next level. For Jade the experience was

th

beneficial in terms of helping her to better

year at school. Jade had been interested in

understand course routes, developing her

Art since a young age but didn’t even know

work and helping her to feel more confident

heard

about

ACES

through

involvement with ASPIRENorth back in her 4

where the Art School was in Aberdeen. Keen

about taking the all-important step of

to get involved she participated in the ACES

applying to Gray’s School of Art.

pilot year as a 5th year pupil. Knowing that

“Being part of this group over the two years has helped me become more confident. I've

she

had

gained

considerably

both

in

knowledge and confidence as a result of her experiences in S5, Jade asked if she could return to ACES in her 6th year to help her with her Advanced Higher Art work and her portfolio and interview preparation.

Having seen her potential in the previous year, the tutor team were pleased to

learned so much about the different courses that are available.

I've met lots of like-minded people who share a passion for art and who are also going to the art school and I have become familiar with the school, lecturers and the uni itself which has taken any fears and worries I had about uni away.” continued...

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

ACCESS ACCESSRGU

Spotlight on ACES participant Jade Gilbert In addition to the practical element of the course,

ACES

supported

participants

with

their

are

applications

also to

university and are advised by tutors on portfolio

and

interview

requirements.

A session spent looking at portfolios of successful applicants helps pupils to become more aware of what tutors are hoping to see from undergraduate entrants. This input helped Jade to be successful in the selection process, receiving Conditional offers for all the programmes she applied to. Jade comments:

“I've been given so much support and help with applying as well as understanding the interview and selection process which helped me so much.”

Now as she prepares for undergraduate study Jade explains:

“What I am looking forward to most is working in an environment with other people who share my strong passion for art, I am really excited to learn new things and try out new methods which I will use for the rest of my life. I really just want to get stuck in to my course and start learning.”

Jade is happy to be starting that journey alongside some of the friends she made on the ACES programme who have also met the

entry requirements.

Finally, when asked what advice Jade would give to other pupils considering participating in ACES, she commented:

“I would say to anyone that is thinking of going down the art or architecture route, that ACES is a brilliant and unmissable opportunity that will help you on your journey and you shouldn't miss out, it will help you when you go through the steps of applying and going through your interview, it will help to develop you as a person and it will boost your confidence so much. It will also show you what it will be like at the art and architecture schools… ACES has helped me so much and I'll never forget it, so I want to pass that on.”

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

ACCESSRGU ACCESS Autumn workshops & events School workshops Following on from the positive work delivered in the city partner schools last year, the ACCESS RGU team have listened to feedback gathered from formal review meetings with guidance staff and informally noted through the course of delivery of the workshops, as to how we strengthen pupil interaction.

partner schools. Below is a reminder of the core workshops the team can offer. We are also happy to respond to specific requests for tailored workshops.

Getting the UCAS Personal Statement Right Exams & Revision Choosing a Uni / Student Life

The team have reviewed the workshops and have looked to make sessions more interactive and pupil led, where possible involving former pupils of each partner school who have progressed on to RGU. We hope that this will benefit both the pupils and students from RGU in giving a positive and accurate reflection of what it is like to be a student at RGU. The workshops themselves will retain the same themes as these were still deemed valuable and appropriate to our partner schools.

Note-Taking / Learning Styles Alternative Routes into HE / Degree Link Confidence & Communication For further information please contact Wider Access Project Officers: Charley Buchan c.buchan2@rgu.ac.uk, 01224 263092 or Geraldine Lynch g.c.lynch@rgu.ac.uk, 01224 263032

We are delighted with the level of interest and workshop bookings we have received from all

On campus events Visit

Afternoons

and

Open

Days are great opportunities to explore the campus and talk to the

staff

and

current

students about course options.

Next Visit Afternoon: Wed 26th Nov at 1:30-3:00pm.

Next Open Days: Wed 8th Oct at 10am – 3pm, Sat 1st Nov at 10am – 2pm.

Register

at:

Insider’s Guide to UCAS Event

Study Skills Event

Wed 15th Oct at 10-4.00pm

Mon 8th Dec at 9-4.00pm

This

event

is

designed

to

improve your confidence and help you to create a positive mind-set in preparation for writing

your

personal

statement.

Register

at:

www.rgu.ac.uk/

events/insider-s-guide-to-ucaswww.rgu.ac.uk/

news-and-events/visit-us/

event

This motivational event is held before the prelim exams to encourage pupils to consider the effectiveness of their current study and revision habits and equip them with strategies and techniques to suit their learning style and improve their performance.

Register at: www.rgu.ac.uk/ events/study-skills-event

ACCESSRGU ACCESS

Partner Schools Newsletter September 2014

Staff Profile: Ruth Wilson, Research and Impact Officer in place for initiatives, and monitoring best practice in widening participation.

Ruth's

work

covers

all

ACCESS

RGU

activities, from schools outreach to the programmes available for applicants and In addition to all of the faces of the ACCESS

students, ensuring that we understand the

RGU team that are becoming familiar in our

challenges facing learners throughout their

partner schools through our programme of

journey to enrolment and during their period

outreach, team member Ruth Wilson mostly

of study at the university.

works behind the scenes, supporting these activities in her role as Research and Impact Officer.

"I've been working with the ACCESS RGU team since January and am really enjoying applying my research skills in an area where

Ruth's job is to help us to understand the

they can make a difference to the lives and

impact of our widening access programmes

prospects of pupils and students. It's exciting

and initiatives. Her monitoring and evaluation

to be contributing to projects that are

work informs the team's current and future

evolving and to see the results of everyone's

activities by providing evidence of the changes

hard work in the enthusiasm and achievements

being delivered in terms of raising ambition

of all of our participants and students."

and increasing participation among pupils and students, and ensures that the value of the team's efforts is captured so it can be communicated to the wider community.

Ruth has a background in sociology and brings experience of a wide range of research methods. She is completing her PhD at the University of Aberdeen and on occasion has

In practice, this means collecting and analysing

been known to lend a hand at ACCESS RGU

data concerning groups that are currently

events!

underrepresented

in

higher

education,

ensuring that appropriate tracking systems are