College inspires its students to do the best they can

Raising aspirations is a key aim of schools and colleges in East Yorkshire. With an ever-increasing number of options facing young people, it is crucial that colleges work with students to make sure they are achieving the very top of their potential.

Mike Rogerson, vice-principal at Wyke College, says there are a number of ways in which their students are inspired to do the best they can.

He says staff aim to make sure each student's needs are met and courses tailored.

One of the things the college has is the Flyers Group, which is for students at the college who are the most able.

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The students, many of whom will apply to Oxford or Cambridge, are challenged further, given extra mentoring, taken on visits to top universities and offered tailored support to suit their needs.

Mr Rogerson said: "We want to raise aspirations even further for our most able students.

"Many of them do an extended project qualification (EPQ).

"Universities like EPQs because it makes students research and work on their own. They can pick their own topic and will produce 5,000 words.

"Many of them have got A*s and As in their projects.

"The flyers are our brightest students, but there are opportunities for all our students and our aim is to raise the level of achievement."

As part of the college's desire to inspire its students to go on to meaningful education or employment, staff make sure there is the chance for youngsters, no matter what their background, to explore all options.

Emily Peach, careers and UCAS adviser at the college, said: "We support all our students in thinking about what their plans are for the future and for some of them get the experience of university.

"As well as all the usual support and guidance, we have visits to universities and offer funding support for students to help them go on these days and all sorts of tasters."

The college, like many, will help students who want to go to university fill in application forms and any financial support applications they need.

Mrs Peach said: "We try to get students to taste things.

"There are all sorts of courses for students who have not thought about university but have the ability.

"These include summer schools where they stay at a university to see what it is like and hopefully come away thinking 'yes – that's something I want to do'.

"But not everyone is cut out for university and we also try to help students with employment and work experience. We help them to see what they can achieve and to set their goals."

The college works intensely with students, raising their aspirations and helping them to get the best academic results they can to help set them up for the future.

Mrs Peach said: "But it's also about making sure they are going down the right road as it is an expensive mistake to make choosing the wrong university course."

Also high on the agenda at Wyke is rewarding students at awards evenings.