Villiers Park has a track record of impactful partnerships with universities
By collaborating with universities, we expand young people’s horizons and build confidence to make informed choices, as well as helping to prepare students academically and personally, increasing social capital and feelings of belonging.
University insight days
Future Leaders in each hub are invited to participate in a university insight day, spending a day at a university, which includes subject-tasters, campus tours, the opportunity to meet student ambassadors and network with other young people from their school and local area.
University insight days are consistently shown to be one of the most valued parts of the Future Leaders Programme.
Residentials
Since 2022, Villiers Park has run residentials in partnership with universities, giving young people firsthand experience of time on a university campus. Residentials empower young people to visualise themselves at university. Students come together from schools across the country and collaborate on projects that increase their academic skills, motivation to learn and confidence.
“The Experience of a Lifetime”
University of Bath Residential
In July 2024, our 2nd Year 10 residential at the University of Bath saw 81 Future Leaders from our hubs across the country come together to explore a range of future pathways, including university, apprenticeships and careers.
I was already thinking about going to university but this has definitely helped open my eyes to not only the options outside of uni, but how much I enjoyed being at university.
Monique, Norwich Future Leader
I absolutely loved doing the trip around the city. It’s the thing I’ve been most excited for when I first heard about the trip because I love seeing historical sights.
Tom, Swindon and Wiltshire Future Leader
It was great to see how well the Future Leaders bonded with each other over the four days. They formed some good inter-school friendships.
Karen Kingston, Programme Coodinator for Swindon and Wiltshire
Early Entry Programme
The Early Entry programme delivers tailored information and support to Year 12 and 13 students applying for highly competitive courses, such as medicine, veterinary sciences, and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Last year, we supported 34 students with their Early Entry applications, supporting them to develop knowledge in three core areas, super-curriculars, application process and interview technique and skills.
The programme is currently run entirely online and supported by student ambassadors and volunteer mentors, including Villiers Park alumni. Most sessions are delivered at evenings and weekends, outside of school and college times.
Transition
Supported by the UPP Foundation, Villiers Park piloted a transition project in 2023 and 2024, developing a programme of targeted support for young people before they go to university and during their first year.
The project has been informed through focus groups with current students at three universities and a co-creation process to develop and design the course content. Students who have engaged with coaching and support during the transition period have a greater awareness of how to seek support between results day and starting university, as well as once they have made that transition.
Get in touch to find out more at programmes@villierspark.org.uk
Learn more about our work with universities
Get in touch
Gaby Sumner, Chief Executive
Please direct any questions about university partnerships to Gaby.
