Aimhigher Associates Scheme

What is the Aimhigher Associates Scheme?

The Aimhigher Associates Scheme is a national project which recruits university students and trains them to become Aimhigher Associates to work with young people within schools and colleges to provide advice, guidance and support as they encounter the various transitional milestones between Year 9 and Year 13 and to encourage progression into Higher Education.

What do Aimhigher Associates do?

• Support learners over a range of subject areas, assisting with their transition at different stages, helping them to become more effective learners and overcome barriers
• Support and help learners to develop the qualities of self discipline, motivation, self organisation and perseverance so they can apply these skills to their studies in a systematic way
• Encourage learners to adopt and/or develop a positive attitude to their challenges they face in and out of school
• Support and advise learners to plan and organise school work, homework, course work and revision
• Encourage learners to see the link between their current studies and the next stage in their learning journey
• Encourage learners to research and explore the options available for post 16 studies and beyond and signpost any relevant activities that would support and benefit the learner
• Give the learner a greater understanding of the process of applying to Higher Education
• Assist and encourage the learner to reflect, analyse and log each session including plans for forthcoming sessions and the longer term future
• Complete a log on a weekly basis to record experiences, reflections, number of exchanges with learners and broad subjects discussed including any action points agreed
• Act as a positive and aspirational Higher Education role model for the learner
• Provide feedback to the university and the Aimhigher West Yorkshire Associate Co-ordinator
• Participate in a detailed and thorough training programme for the Associate Scheme prior to meeting the learners

Information for Prospective Aimhigher Associates

Hours:            Between 2 and 3 hours a week. The work will be carried out during school hours but hours of work are flexible allowing the post holder to carry out the role of Aimhigher Associate around their studies

Location:       You will be placed in a school within West Yorkshire

Salary:            £50 per session (each session lasts between 2-3 hours)

Further information?

For more information, or an application form, please email Amanda Kenningley, Student Schemes Co-ordinator.

Important Dates:

Closing date: 15th October 2010

Interview dates: 20th, 25th or 26th October 2010

Training Dates: 8th November and 9th November 2010 (compulsory 2-day training - paid)

Our Aimhigher Associates are carefully selected through interview, trained in child protection issues and CRB checked. You will be asked to complete an enhanced CRB form before you can begin the scheme. CRB disclosure forms will be reviewed on a case by case basis, but it is very unlikely you will be permitted to work as an Aimhigher Associate if you have police records of violent acts or incidents relating to children/young people.

• Wednesday 15 June 2011, 9.30am - 3.30pm
• Saturday 17 September 2011, 9.30am - 3.30pm
• Wednesday 26 October 2011, 9.30am - 3.30pm
• Thursday 27 October 2011, 9.30am - 3.30pm