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Evaluation of the ThinkHigher NCOP programme, Warwickshire ; February – July, 2018
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Cullen, Stephen Michael (2018) Evaluation of the ThinkHigher NCOP programme, Warwickshire ; February – July, 2018. Coventry: Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick.
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Abstract
This initial evaluation report of the ThinkHigher programme has begun the process of tracking, and assessing, the implementation of the Office for Students’ National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) in Coventry and Warwickshire. The key findings of the evaluation of six months (February –July, 2018) of the implementation of ThinkHigher were:
Self-confidence is an issue for some of the young people, and ThinkHigher has begun to address the issue through the one-to-one work carried out by the ThinkHigher coordinators, and the introduction of the Aspirations and Confidence in Education (ACE) scheme. In addition, the programme of activities carried out at Warwick and Coventry campuses under the title Discovery Days, along with targeted activities like the Dol y moch residential, also help address confidence issues.
Evidence from the young people suggests that ThinkHigher’s focus on improving young people’s knowledge of higher education has been successful. There were high levels of satisfaction in relation to campus-based events, and the provision of information about university. The young people involved enjoyed, appreciated, and were aware of the benefits of seeing and experiencing the two university campuses, as well as finding out about information, such as degree options, concerned with university.
One of ThinkHigher’s key aims is to enhance aspirations in relation to university and possible future careers. Interestingly, the data suggest that, taken as a group, the young people already have high aspirations in terms of university and careers. Some 66% of the survey respondents indicated that they intend to go to university, while 73% believed that they would be able to attend. The interviews also provided examples of long-held aspirations to attend university and enter professional careers.
In terms of the ThinkHigher aim of ‘promoting positive attitudes to education’, the larger part of the evaluation cohort appears to already have positive attitudes to education which ThinkHigher work is in a position to strengthen.
The evaluation cohort identified a number of perceived barriers to engaging in higher education, including: financial fears; concerns related to student life; worries about living away from home and family; and concerns about gaining the necessary examination grades. There was some evidence that ThinkHigher work had been successful in reducing concerns about finances at university, and demystifying the processes surrounding fees, living expenses and loans.
ThinkHigher aims to strengthen the enabling factors in relation to attendance at university. These factors include the support and influence of family, friends and school. The data suggest that the evaluation cohort typically has good levels of support from parents/carers and family, and that peer support is positive.
| Item Type: | Report | ||||||
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| Subjects: | L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education |
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| Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) | ||||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Self-confidence in children, School children, Universities and colleges -- Admission | ||||||
| Publisher: | Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick | ||||||
| Place of Publication: | Coventry | ||||||
| Official Date: | 21 September 2018 | ||||||
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| Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access | ||||||
| RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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