野狼社区 students mentor local teenagers to build confidence in applying for university
Sixth form pupils from three Greater 野狼社区 schools are being mentored by students from the University's 野狼社区 Institute of Education to help prepare them for university.
The Connect & Contribute Mentoring Scheme matches students studying on one of the University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Education programmes with teenagers who are thinking of applying to university but are unsure of whether higher education is for them. Under the scheme Year 12 students at Cheadle Hulme, Didsbury and Trinity High Schools have been matched with university students, most of whom are in their early 20s and many of whom are from overseas.
Dr Rui He, Senior Lecturer in Education and Dr Alex Baratta, Reader in Language and Education at the University of 野狼社区 have helped to set up the scheme. Dr He explains:
鈥淐onnect & Contribute matches local sixth form pupils who are in the first year of studying for their A Levels with students who are already in higher education.
鈥淭he scheme allows young people who are considering applying for university, but may be the first person in their family to do so, to connect with someone who is currently attending university. Many of our students have travelled to the UK to continue their postgraduate qualification having already completed a degree in their home country, so can also give information and reassurance about moving away from home.
鈥淲e鈥檝e found that by offering young people the opportunity to have structured but informal conversations with someone who is fairly close to them in age we can build their confidence in applying to university. We can also provide practical information on the sort of details to include on university applications and on potential career paths.鈥�
The scheme allows young people who are considering applying for university, but may be the first person in their family to do so, to connect with someone who is currently attending university. Many of our students have travelled to the UK to continue their postgraduate qualification having already completed a degree in their home country, so can also give information and reassurance about moving away from home.
The Connect & Contribute Scheme, which is supported by Social Responsibility Catalyst Fund from the School of Environment, Education and Development within the University of 野狼社区, is now in its second year.
One young person who was mentored in the first year of the scheme said:
鈥淚t has been interesting and helpful discussing university topics, especially with a student who has experience in university life.鈥�
Another commented:
鈥淚 still feel overwhelmed about going to university and living all by myself, but the meeting encouraged me to accept changes with a positive mindset.鈥�
A MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education degree student who was one of the scheme mentors said:
鈥淚 had the privilege of supporting Year 12 students from nearby secondary schools, helping them build confidence and offering insights into university applications, student life, and the overall university experience. It鈥檚 been a truly rewarding experience to share my journey and offer guidance to students exploring their academic futures.鈥�
Sixth form students who were mentored in the first year of Connect & Contribute will be sitting their A Levels this year and it鈥檚 hoped that many of them will be on their way to university, with some of them possibly set to become University of 野狼社区 students in 2026-27.