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Case study 9: Linking with a university
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Case study 9: Linking with a university
This case study shows how a sixth-form centre is aiming to raise the aspirations of gifted and talented students by forming a link with a local university.
college sixth-form centre in London
setting up a Partnership of Excellence programme with a local university
enriched learning opportunities for gifted students
students who are better prepared for university
Background
The college sixth-form centre already had good links and progression arrangements with many universities. However, it has recently set up a Partnership of Excellence programme with a local university that takes these links to a new level.
Through the programme:
- the university and sixth-form centre have made a commitment to work closely with each other in a developmental and highly focused way over a sustained period;
- governors from the sixth-form centre sit on the university's governing body, and vice versa;
- the sixth-form centre gives its students new learning opportunities;
- the university staff gain research opportunities;
- the university students gain skills development.
Implementation
The sixth-form centre is particularly keen to use the Partnership of Excellence programme to provide enriched learning opportunities for gifted students and for those who demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm and capacity in their chosen subjects. The university currently offers the sixth-form students seminars, master classes and other activities in mathematics, science, medicine and modern languages. For example, sixth-form students who want to study medicine are offered mentoring, talks on medical careers, and weekly academic support workshops with university staff.
The university also gives sixth-form students advice on applying to university and preparing for university life. Graduates act as mentors to individual students at the sixth-form centre. A new mathematics project will look at easing the transition from A level to degree level study and will involve staff from the university, the sixth-form centre and the college. Similar projects are planned for the future.
A modular, part-time master of arts in academic practice is now starting at the university. This will enable staff from the sixth-form centre and the university to familiarise themselves with each other's work, while investigating the nature of academic practice in the two institutions.
Impact
The programme is still in its early stages, but it is expected to have benefits for both institutions.
It will contribute to the university's aim of widening participation in higher education and developing its teaching and learning strategies. It will reinforce and further the sixth-form centre's aim to be a centre of excellence for A levels and university entry. It will give gifted students enriched learning opportunities and ease the transition from sixth-form to university.