Undergrads Inspire Future Generations at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy

A group of undergraduate students from the University of East Anglia recently hosted a conference event to inspire Year 10 pupils of Great Yarmouth Charter Academy to consider all the available routes into higher and further education. The aim of the event was to inform the pupils about their post-16 options, including T Levels, apprenticeships, foundation degrees and A Levels. 

The conference was led by third-year students from the University of East Anglia (UEA) who shared their experiences of higher education and the various routes they had taken to get there. The students discussed their own journeys into university, including the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. 

The event was designed to challenge the perceptions of university and inspire the Year 10 pupils to achieve their very best. The undergraduate students shared their knowledge and experience of university life and discussed the different paths available to pupils, including T Levels and apprenticeships, which offer a more vocational approach to learning. 

The conference also highlighted the importance of foundation degrees, which are designed to support pupils who may not have traditional A Level qualifications but are looking to progress onto higher education. The pupils were also informed about the different types of degrees available and the many career paths that can be pursued after graduation, including a popular career path into Science and Health, benefiting from the many employers and courses along the Norfolk coast. 

The event was a huge success and received positive feedback from both the Year 10 pupils and the school staff. The conference has helped to raise awareness of all the available post-16 options and has encouraged the pupils to consider all the different routes into higher and further education. Jordan, a Year 10 pupil studying Sport, Product Design, Geography and Child Development at the academy said,

"I wasn't sure what to choose after my GCSEs, but after attending the conference, I feel more informed about my options. I want to keep my options open, so I plan to study facilitating subjects like maths, physics, and chemistry, which will allow me to pursue a career in either medicine or engineering. The conference was really inspiring, and I feel more confident about my future now." 

The undergraduate students who hosted the conference were part of UEA’s Outreach programme, which is designed to increase access to higher education for  pupils from under-represented backgrounds. The programme works with schools and colleges across the region to provide information and support to pupils who may not have considered higher education as an option. Miss Steward, the Head of Year 10, was impressed with how pupils responded in asking great questions to the undergraduates at the conference and said, "I would like every pupil to have a clearer understanding of the wealth of opportunities ahead so that pupils understand where their hard work can take them. This event has played a significant role in broadening the pupils' horizons and has encouraged them to take control of their future.” 

As the conference closed, staff and pupils had a short reflection of this amazing example of how universities can collaborate with local schools and communities to inspire and empower pupils about their post-16 options. The event successfully raised awareness about the various routes available for higher and further education, and highlighted how every pupil can achieve their full potential with the right guidance and support. It's truly inspiring to see such efforts being made to ensure that every pupil has an equal opportunity to succeed.