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Plan My Path Partner Opportunity
University of Kent’s Outreach and Widening Participation team are looking for partner schools for our flagship pre-16 project for children in care for the 2025-26 programme. Plan My Path is a progressive programme, giving students the opportunity to explore university life, take part in interactive, creative, and inspiring sessions in-school and on the University of Kent’s campus, to think about their future and consider the options for how to get to where they want to go. The programme is co-developed and supported by care-experienced student ambassadors.
We are looking for school partners with:
- Higher numbers of young people in care in years 8-11, who would benefit from participation in a university programme (minimum of 6 young people).
- A supportive designated teacher who can be the school lead on the project.
- Capacity to supervise two in-school workshops, and two campus visits to Canterbury in October-June.
If you would like to learn more and discuss this opportunity, please get in touch with Shauna-Aine O’Brien, Targeted Outreach Manager at stjo@kent.ac.uk.
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Updated Webpages for Care-experienced and Estranged Students
The Outreach and Widening Participation web pages have been refreshed, and we have an exciting new section for care-experienced and estranged students. As well as all the upcoming activities, there are a number of resources from care-experienced Targeted Outreach Ambassadors, sharing insights into university life and their tips for young people getting ready for university in the future.
Activities for care-experienced / estranged students – Schools and Colleges – University of Kent
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Opening Doors Webinars: Keeping Doors Open
This session is about the next steps after completing Level 3 qualifications at sixth form or college (e.g. A Levels, BTECs, T Levels, IBCP). It is for care-experienced young people and their carers or supporters.
The session will cover the following topics for students, and how carers can support their young people through these concerns:
- What to do if you haven’t applied to university, but are now considering it
- What to do if you have changed your mind about what you’d like to do after sixth form or college
- What will happen when you get your exam results
- What the clearing process is
We will also give an overview of support available for care experienced students applying to university, as well as at university, and the benefits of Higher Education.
Hear from care-experienced university students, sharing their insights into why they chose to go and what they did if their plans changed enroute to Higher Education.
For more details and to sign-up: Keeping Doors Open Webinar Booking Link
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From Care to Campus Videos
See how to navigate university through the eyes of care experienced students. In partnership with the University of Kent and Kent and Medway Progression Federation, this video is part of a series of three, aiming to shed light on the pressing questions care experienced young people may have when thinking about higher education:
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- Where will I live?
- How can I afford it?
- What is university like for care experienced students?
Working in collaboration with those with living experience of care, these videos highlight their personal journeys and invaluable insights.
Click the link to view: From Care to Campus Videos
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Applicant Support for care-experienced and estranged students
The University has designated members of staff for care-experienced and estranged students. Please get in touch to find out about individual support for your students who may be thinking about university, looking to apply, or transitioning to higher education.
- Care Experienced and Estranged Student Travel Bursary – The University of Kent is pleased to offer a Care Experienced and Estranged Student Travel Bursary to ensure that care experienced and estranged students can access open days and offer holder events at the university. This bursary will cover return travel to any of our open days or offer holder events at Canterbury or Medway campus. To find out more and apply, please complete the Care Experienced and Estranged Student Travel Bursary enquiry form.
- Insight Visits – An exciting opportunity for care experienced and estranged students and their supporters to come to visit University of Kent’s Canterbury or Medway Campus. They will meet with the Pre-registration Designated Member of Staff and have the opportunity to ask questions about support available at university, accommodation, student finance etc. There will be an opportunity to go on a tour of the campus with a Student Ambassador, who can give insights into university life. Each Insights Visit is bespoke, and requests to see or find out particular things can be discussed. To find out more and apply, please complete the Insight Visit enquiry form.
- Applicant Event Buddy – For students attending open days or offer holder events alone, we have the opportunity for a student ambassador to meet with you and spend the event with you. They will be able to share insights into university life and answer your questions, as well as attend all your events with you. To find out more, please email Shauna-Aine O’Brien at stjo@kent.ac.uk.