An innovative approach to raise attainment and boost opportunities for young people has been hailed an exemplar of best practice in a sector-wide campaign designed to widen access to higher education ensuring every individual, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.
Developed by the University of Hull and local partners, Future Thinking is a six-week programme that aims to empower young people, improving the information, advice and guidance available to them and equipping them with the skills needed to make informed and confident choices about their futures.
It forms part of a national campaign, Access to Success, led by Universities UK (UUK), which outlines how universities and government can work together to ensure more people from disadvantaged backgrounds not only reach university, but also succeed while they're there, unlocking life-changing benefits, from launching successful careers to building lasting networks and confidence.
The Future Thinking programme features in one strand of the campaign, which focuses on collaboration, particularly in areas with historically low levels of higher education participation. It demonstrates what can be achieved when local partners work together to improve engagement with young people and tackle educational cold spots.
The Future Thinking programme was designed with the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP) and local schools for year eight students to help them gather evidence, weigh up pros and cons, and evaluate potential career choices. It is aimed particularly at often overlooked mid-level attainers. The skills students learn through the programme will further support them through their GCSE studies.
Through five sessions in schools, students are offered guided support and timely feedback. It provides opportunities for students to plan, monitor and evaluate their learning. In session six, learners apply the strategies they have learnt during a campus visit at the University of Hull.
On completion of the programme learners are better able to:
- ask questions and understand the importance of asking questions,
- plan and organise thinking,
- link concepts to build their knowledge,
- generate questions and hypotheses,
- edit and review their work,
- confidently explain ideas to peers,
- consider different points of view,
- and be able to apply these skills in different environments.
The Humber Outreach Programme (HOP), led by the University of Hull, brings together higher and further education providers to give students, parents and teachers impartial advice and guidance.
So far, over 400 pupils from across the Humber region have taken part in the project. Feedback and data have been collected from 238 participants. 92% of pupils felt that the Future Thinking programme had a positive impact on their study and learning skills. The team is already working with another 30 cohorts across 10 schools this academic year and will be repeating this again in 2025-26. The success of the programme has led to the development of further programmes to support Year Nine and Year 10 in Oracy and Study skills and mentoring.