North West Summer Schools - The Summer School Experience

The Summer School Experience

Who are Summer Schools for ?

North West Aimhigher Summer Schools are for you if you are a Year 10 state school pupil and you are unsure about university or college. This may be because your parents did not go to university when they were younger, or not many people from your school go on to university, or because family or personal issues are getting in the way of your making plans?

So are you...

Thinking about taking AS levels or post-GCSE vocational qualifications?
Not sure if university or college is right for you?

And are ...

The first, or one of the first members of your family to think about going to university or higher education college?
Or, from a minority ethnic background?
Or, disabled, have a sight or hearing problem or have dyslexia or a learning difficulty?
Or, living in the care of the local authority
Or, living apart from your family

What would you get out of it?

It could change your life!
It will help you decide about your future
You’ll be able to try out different subjects

We won’t put you under any pressure to apply to university or college – you’ll be given enough information to be able to decide for yourself. You’ll experience what it’s like to be a student, and find out about:

Just how hard do you have to work at university ?
What’s it like living in student halls? Is living at home a good option?
What kind of jobs can you get with a degree? And what sort of money can you earn?
Student finances –would you need to do a part-time job?
How many hours would you have to work? What sort of work pays best?
Student Support – who is there to help you as a student?
Fees, grants and student loans – what are they?

Will it be like school?

Certainly not!

The summer schools offer you the chance to try out subjects you might want to study at university or college. When you check out the details for each of the summer schools, look for the subjects that interest you most. The subjects you take will be taught by university or college lecturers and postgraduate students.

Look through the summer school pages to see where you can:

Develop characters for games design, comic strip or book illustration – University of Bolton
Enter the 21st Century and the high tech world of sports – University of Chester
Find out why people are lying and whether lie detectors work – University of Cumbria
Design and fly your own rocket - Lancaster University
Get a hands-on taster of the science behind some of the most hazardous situations in the world – University of Liverpool
Develop your musical skills and produce a showcase concert – Royal Northern College of Music
Develop a new business idea and present it to a professional panel in the ‘Think Lab’ – University of Salford

How will you spend your day?
The schedule at each summer school varies, however most summer schools will include the following types of activities at some point during your stay:

8.30 am Breakfast
9.15 am Working in small groups on academic subject, eg history case study, film workshop or science project
10.45 am Break
11.30 am Information session with current students – how to manage your money
12.30 pm Lunch
2.00 pm Visit to local company, science park or outward bound centre to work on projects or team-building
5.00 pm Evening meal
6.30 pm Sport, visit to Megabowl
8.00 pm Karaoke and disco with live DJ

Activities
For many students, sports and their social life are as important as their academic work. At a typical university you can find over 100 different clubs and societies and they will all want you to join!

During the summer school we’ll give you a taste of this, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. In recent years activities have included:

Karaoke in the student bar (no alcohol!)
Laserquest
Pool competitions
Fun Olympics
Formal dinner with murder mystery for dessert
Jazz funk and salsa dance
Mixed martial arts
TV and movie star fancy dress prom
Outdoor pursuits with zip-wire, abseiling and orienteering
Go-karting Grand Prix
Chilling out

QUOTES
“Fruit salad surgery is totally mad but brilliant!!”
“Thank you for a fantastic few days. I've learnt a lot and had a great time doing it.”

Getting there and staying there!

Travel
The summer school co-ordinator will arrange the easiest way for you to travel and this will be free. They might send a minibus or coach to collect you, or send you a train or bus ticket. They may contact you to discuss the best way for you to travel. Either way, they’ll make sure that you can get to the summer school (and back of course!), and they’ll meet you when you arrive and help you to settle in.

Where will you be staying?
You’ll be staying in student accommodation, which will vary, depending on which summer school you choose. It could be a hall of residence, flat or house.

All of these normally consist of a number of study bedrooms and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Girls and boys are housed in separate areas.

Student helpers
At a summer school, you won’t be alone! Each summer school employs students who are currently studying for a degree at university or college. They are there to help you out, answer questions and show you around. They will also give you the inside story on student life.

QUOTES
“Made me clearer on whether I would go to University. If anyone has this opportunity - jump at the chance to take it.”

"Thank you. I must say I really came with low expectations but this summer school was stunningly brilliant, I really loved it. I enjoyed the four days and the clubbing was excellent because it helped me build my self-confidence.”

"Thank you for a fantastic few days. I've learnt a lot and had a great time doing it.”

Gary: My Summer School Experience

''All through my years from Year 7 to 11 I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do when I left school. All my mates either wanted to be in the police, army or work in business, however, none of these jobs appealed to me and university didn't seem an option because none of my family had been and I really didn't think I had the ability. In 2001 I was given an opportunity to see what university was like when I was offered a place on a Year 11 summer school. During the week at university I was introduced to all aspects of university life and the many different courses that could be studied. Following this experience I made up my mind that a place at university was certainly an option I would consider.''

Follow up: Gary was offered a place to study Performing Arts at Newcastle University.

So, what do you have to do to get a place on a summer school?

Talk to your teachers, and your parents.
Fill in the form at the back of the summer school brochure and write the best (and neatest!) application you possibly can.

Get your teacher to fill in their part of the application form and then send it to the Aimhigher Summer School team at Lancaster University.

We are aiming to select those of you who really want to make the most of this opportunity and help you plan your future.