Widening Participation
Overview
We work with educational organisations throughout the UK and Australia supporting delivery of their widening participation agenda. Most of all, helping young people to understand the benefits of staying in learning post compulsory schooling; encouraging emerging aspirations and raising awareness of the financial support available and how to access them.
In 2013 we won a contract for Bridges to Higher Education* working in partnership with 5 of the biggest Sydney Universities to devise an innovative widening participation theatre in school’s program, ‘Aim Higher’. The program continues to run and to date has engaged with over 300,000 students. There have also been adaptations for audiences in rural NSW as well as the LEAP** program in VIC.
Solution
The program delivery is primarily to year 7 / 8 students. ‘Aim Higher’ provides target low socio economic schools with a bespoke, high energy theatre production. It presents staying in learning post school as fun, accessible and affordable to all young people regardless of their background. In addition, it explores the potential barriers to students progressing to HE at a younger age. For example, finance, first in family to go to university, balancing study, work and family life. Consequently, this helps to inform young people of the benefits of staying in learning and the career pathways available.
100% of students agreed that that ‘Aim Higher’ was excellent.
88% agreed that the information was easy to understand.
85% of students agreed that having seen the performance University was a realistic option.
“The performance was engaging and informative. Students were involved and the performers were very professional and exciting.”
Year Adviser, Thomas Redall HS
*Bridges to Higher Education: A consortium of , The University of Sydney, The University of Technology Sydney, Western Sydney University, Australian Catholic University and Macquarie University.
** LEAP: A VIC-wide collaborative initiative funded by Australian Catholic University, La Trobe University, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, Victoria University and supported by the Department of Education and Training, the Catholic Education Commission of VIC, and Independent Schools VIC.
Do you have a widening participation project that you need help with? Contact us for further information on our Theatre in Education programs. You may also like to read about our other school projects including Environmental Education, Sustainable Travel & Road Safety and Breaking Underage Drinking.
