GHWY Beyond Care Network No.4: Kirklees College in the spotlight

Welcome to the September edition of Go Higher West Yorkshire's Care to Go Higher Newsletter. We aim to connect those working with care experienced young people across the region to Higher Education (HE) through regular monthly news, events and updates.

In this issue we spotlight Kirklees College, bring you news of upcoming open days, and showcase resources on student finance.

News

New FutureGoals website now live

The new FutureGoals website, delivered by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, is now live. The website makes it easier to access careers information, resources, support and guidance for a variety of groups including young people who are at or have recently left school, adults looking to expand their skills, educators, employers, and parents/carers.

Visit the FutureGoals website here

The interactive Labour Market Information report has also been launched with the new website here.

Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme now open for applicants

The annual Civil Service care leaver internship scheme is now open for applicants. A ring-fenced 12 month paid internship for care leavers aged 18-30, no qualifications are required.

Applications are now open and will close on the 24 September.

View more details about the internship

Upcoming higher education events

20 September - #WECAN Women in Leadership – How to find your voice and be heard (online), Leeds Beckett University

25 September - Undergraduate Open Day (on campus), Leeds Trinity University

2 October - Undergraduate Open Day (on campus), University of Huddersfield

2 October - Virtual Undergraduate Open Day: Live (online), University of Bradford

2-9 October - Undergraduate Virtual Open Days (online), University of Leeds

6 October - J H Whitley Centenary Lecture, University of Huddersfield

7 October - Post16 Information Event for Parents and Carers (online), Leeds City College

9 October - Performing Arts Open Day (on campus & on demand online), Leeds Conservatoire

Spotlight on Kirklees College

What is it like studying at Kirklees College?

In this video students and staff from the animal management course at Kirklees College talk about their experiences. This includes reflecting on what their learning is like and the opportunities they are given.

On this page you can also see some videos on a range of different courses at HE providers across West Yorkshire.

Watch the video on animal management here

The support Kirklees College offers care experienced young people

Read about the support on offer for care experienced young people when studying higher education at Kirklees College.

Lucy Robinson, named care leaver contact, introduces the different support options available for students to access, including links to further information.

Read more here

Virtual tour of Kirklees College

See what it is like to study at the College through this video tour of the Pioneer Higher Skills Centre.

Watch the video tour

Mini Guide to Pioneer Higher Skills Centre
Want to find out more? Read this short guide to studying HE at Kirklees College Pioneer Higher Skilss Centre. This includes information about the courses available.

Access the mini guide here

Latest HE sector updates

Universities resuming in-person graduation events

Over summer many universities resumed in-person graduation ceremonies giving young people a chance to celebrate their academic achievements.

In this BBC article they speak to students from the University of Northampton who had the opportunity to experience this.

Read more about this story

New podcast launched by care experienced and estranged students

The University of Portsmouth has launched a new podcast celebrating the different individual experiences of students at university.

The podcast series was created by students who had experience of being in care or estrangement. The aim is to share their voices and celebrate their experiences, with episodes on different topics relating to student life.

Read more and find the podcast episodes here

Focus on "Student Finance" Resources

Students views on student finance

Recorded videos from a range of students on different aspects of student finance including part time jobs, student loans and budgeting.

View the videos

Student finance for parents and carers

This presentation explores student finance and is a great guide for carers.

View the activity

Student Finance Calculator
The government provides a student finance calculator on their website. Here you can see what the loan amounts will be for the next academic year.

Access the calculator

View the GHWY Care Leaver Covenant

All 13 HE partners have signed up to the GHWY Care Leaver Covenant, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to this group.

View the Covenant

Download our resource pack here

Go Higher West Yorkshire has created a resource pack on higher education that is available for those working with children in care.

Register for the pack

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Click here to see our Care Leaver work and previous articles