UniFest 2015 is a summer school programme offered in partnership with 6 of the West Midland’s leading universities. UniFest will give over 300 young people the chance to spend 3 days and 2 nights living and working as a university student in June and July 2015.
UniFest 2015 is a programme of residential summer schools offered by 6 universities in the West Midlands:
o Aston University
o Birmingham City University
o Staffordshire University
o University College Birmingham
o The University of Birmingham
o The University of Worcester
UniFest is an excellent way to meet careers guidance needs and to raise the aspirations and attainment of Pupil Premium and other disadvantaged students. Aimhigher summer schools have operated for many years, and numerous local and national evaluations show that attending helps young people become motivated and confident about their learning and progression. Young people attending summer schools are known to have improved KS4 and KS5 attainment, and higher levels of entry to higher education than those who do not attend.
Schools wishing to secure places do need to make a contribution to the cost of Unifest. The following charges include all travel, accommodation and catering costs:
3 day / 2 night residential UniFest places at £50 per young person.
Maximum 5 places per event per school.
What about supervision and safeguarding?
Schools do not need to supervise young people on residential UniFest events. The universities take full responsibility for safeguarding, and will liaise with applicants and their parents / carers in advance of their event. Aimhigher universities operate comprehensive safeguarding, child protection and health and safety policies and procedures. They will undertake risk assessments for all events and activities, and make these available to you for assurance purposes. Full details are on our website:
http://www.aimhigherwm.ac.uk What about transport?
Universities liaise directly with young people and their parents /carers about travel arrangements, and reimburse all reasonable transport costs to and from events.
How do I get involved?
1.Contact us to confirm your interest and we will send you more copies of the UniFest Prospectus and application form. We can also arrange for a representative to visit you to talk to potential applicants/ parents
2.Applications should be returned by 27th February 2015. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement postcard by return post
3.We will write to all applicants in March 2015, to let them know which event they are going to. Participating schools and colleges will also receive a report listing the outcomes for their applicants
4.Our university partners will maintain regular contact with all applicants and parents / carers between April and July
5.We will notify schools of any concerns about drop out / non-attendance on an ongoing basis
6.Invoices for subscription will be issued to participating schools in early June 2015
7.Impact reports will be sent to participating schools and colleges in September 2015.