Aspire to Aston (Keith Bradshaw programme)
Progressive programme
The Aspire to Aston (Keith Bradshaw programme) offers a range of workshops and activities for Year 9 to Year 11 pupils. These workshops aim to increase pre-16 GCSE attainment grades and develop participating pupils’ academic soft skills, such as study and revision skills, to support them in their academic and professional journeys.
During the three-year programme, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to take part in various enrichment activities to help support their journeys into Higher Education. Activities include subject specific taster sessions, 5-week academic tutoring in English or Maths delivered by current Aston University students, study skills and revision sessions and Summer School Residential.
These sustained programmes of activity aim to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provide them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their chance of achieving good GCSE grades. The programme also aims to increase pupils’ knowledge of HE, to normalise the idea of going to HE and to encourage pupils to start thinking about their future goals.
During their time on the programme, students will be exposed to a range of leading experts from Aston University. Students will also get the opportunity to meet current Aston University students and ask them about their Higher Education experiences to help them make informed decisions about their futures.
- Places on the programme
Places on our Aspire to Aston (Keith Bradshaw programme) are open to students who meet the below criteria and at least one of the widening participation criteria listed below:
Student eligibility criteria
- Must be in Years 9-11 in September 2024
Academic requirements:
- All students must be on track to achieve a minimum of a Grade 4 or above in their Maths and English GCSEs, but would also benefit from the support the A2A Programme can offer
Widening participation requirements (students must meet at least one of these)
- Live in a high IMD 1 or 2 area (TUNDRA Measure - you can search postcodes on the HEFCE Postcode lookup here)
- Have a physical or mental health condition and/or learning difference (SEND)
- Have been in receipt of free school meals at any point over the last three years
- Identified as Pupil Premium
- Is a care leaver or has experience of being looked after by a local authority
Please note, places on the programmes are limited. If oversubscribed, places will be offered by random allocation to all eligible applicants until the programme is full.
- How to apply
Please note that for 2024-25, our team are only processing student applications from high-priority outreach schools. To find out if your school is a high priority school, please have a member of school staff contact our team:
If the Outreach Team have confirmed that your/ your child’s school is eligible, please complete an application form in the next tab “Apply now”
- Apply now
If the Outreach Team have confirmed that your/ your child’s school is eligible, please complete an application form on the relevant “Apply now” page.
Applications for 2024-25 academic year close on Friday 27th September 2024.
For school staff
For students, parents and carers (to complete together)
Contact the Outreach Team.