News release: Teachers go back to University to encourage students

Abstract

The University of Central Lancashire has been selected to take part in an innovative scheme
allowing teachers to spend time back at University, looking at ways of encouraging their
own students to come into higher education.
Excellence Fellowship A wards will be offered to teachers in areas where there is
traditionally a low take-up in university places, in the hope of giving teachers the
opportunity to spend a term away from their school or further education college, working
on projects that will encourage pupils to aim higher and go to university.
The Govermnent's message is that, by the year 2010, 50 percent of young people should be
entering higher education, and this new initiative will complement much of the current
work being done by the University in knocking down barriers and increasing access to
pupils from low participation neighbourhoods. Over the past four years the University has
worked, with local colleges, in partnership with the Preston Education Action Zones on
projects such as the U-Can@UCLan summer school, aimed at 12-16 year olds, and on the
employment of students from the University to go into local schools and to act as role
models to help raise the aspirations of the pupils.
The University has received £60,000 to operate the pilot scheme over the next two years
and is the only University in Lancashire to be selected to participate by the Department of
Education and Skills. Teachers chosen for the award will be expected to share the benefits
of their fellowships with schools and colleges in their local area.
Head of University External Relations, Lynne Duckworth said: "We are delighted to have
been chosen to take part in the new Excellence Fellowships Scheme, which adds another
dimension to our wide ranging work with pupils who would not normally consider going
into higher education. We will be recruiting teachers from schools and colleges with whom
the University is already actively engaged, with the intention of producing a body of staff in
both institutions, committed to working in partnership towards the goal of all young people
who have the potential being given the opportunity of a University education".
7 March 2002
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Note: For further information, please contact Head of External Relations, Lynne
Duckworth on tel: 01772 893852