Tyneside

We have been working in Tyneside since 2015.

Last year we supported over 90 Future Leaders to realise their potential and plan pathways to their ambitions.

Our partner schools in Tyneside

Burnside College
Churchill Community College
George Stephenson High School
Longbenton High School
North Gosforth Academy
Excelsior Academy
Newcastle 6th Form College

The opportunity to do a residential and to work together with people I’d never met before, especially now that I am at university where that is a major factor in all my course modules. Having already experienced that, doing it at uni has been a lot more comfortable. Again, I also just think my mentoring and coaching sessions throughout my A levels were so valuable.

Caitlin

A young woman in a grey sweater and black pants is smiling for the camera.

My experience with Villiers Park has undoubtedly given me more confidence and improved my communication skills, especially within leadership challenges. It has definitely opened my mind as to what career paths are within my reach which, in turn, has given me so much more motivation and determination to aim higher and to do well and succeed in everything I do.

Elana

The thing I like most about the programme is the bank of opportunities you are offered and signposted. If your coach doesn’t know something they will go away and research it for you and they offer support every step of the way.

Abgail

Before I started on the Future Leaders Programme, I didn’t see myself going to uni. I was planning to join the RAF after sixth form, but through my conversations with Alex I realised that might limit my options later on. I still don’t think I’d have done it without help choosing a uni or with my personal statement - things like that. My parents didn’t go to uni so they couldn’t really help with the process or informing me about what it would be like, and they were really worried about the financial impact.

Lewis

The opportunity to do a residential and to work together with people I’d never met before, especially now that I am at university where that is a major factor in all my course modules. Having already experienced that, doing it at uni has been a lot more comfortable. Again, I also just think my mentoring and coaching sessions throughout my A levels were so valuable.

Caitlin

My experience with Villiers Park has undoubtedly given me more confidence and improved my communication skills, especially within leadership challenges. It has definitely opened my mind as to what career paths are within my reach which, in turn, has given me so much more motivation and determination to aim higher and to do well and succeed in everything I do.

Elana

Our Activity in Tyneside

A group of people are playing a game with a remote control.

Robot challenges at the University of Sunderland

Button

A group of people are standing in front of a van.

A group of people standing around a yellow robot that says ' next step ' on it

Students control Bernard the robotic dog at the University of Sunderland

Button

A man in a red shirt is standing at a podium holding a microphone.

Why Tyneside?

In Tyneside, young people from under-represented backgrounds face a persistent gap in educational attainment compared to their peers. The North East has the lowest higher education entry rate in England (32% in 2021), and recent exam results show this gap is widening between the North and South of the country. Challenges like high unemployment, low household income, under-resourced schools, and limited access to technology deepen these disparities.

Our Tyneside Team

A man in a white shirt is sitting in front of flowers.

A young man in a red shirt is smiling for the camera

News from Tyneside

Offshore wind turbines with a construction platform in the ocean under a clear blue sky.

Alumni Spotlight: Lewis

By Bronagh Sumner • December 12, 2025

" [Villiers Park] offered me the tools that helped me settle into university life quicker, something that many young students lack and struggle with throughout their time at uni. "

A group of people sitting at a table having a discussion in a bright room. One person is in a wheelchair.

A trip to Sopra Steria in Edinburgh

December 5, 2025

In November, 18 Year 12 students from our Tyneside hub attended an Employer Insight Day at Sopra Steria’s Edinburgh office. As our principal partner, we work closely with Sopra Steria and were delighted to offer these students the opportunity to explore the variety of career paths available within the Edinburgh office and beyond.

Alumni Spotlight: Joanna

By Bronagh Sumner • November 26, 2025

"It’s incredible to come full circle. Villiers Park supported me when I needed it most, and now I have the privilege of helping to make those same opportunities available to others.”