Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

Evaluation of the ThinkHigher NCOP programme, Warwickshire ; February – July, 2018

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

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.

[img]
Preview
PDF
WRAP-evaluation-ThinkHigher-NCOP-programme-Warwickshire-February–July-2018-Cullen-2016.pdf - Other - Requires a PDF viewer.

Download (1041Kb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

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
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
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
Dates:
DateEvent
21 September 2018Completion
21 September 2018Accepted
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons)
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:
Project/Grant IDRIOXX Funder NameFunder ID
UNSPECIFIEDUniversity of Warwickhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000741
Related URLs:
  • Organisation
  • Organisation

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us