Forward Thinking
Forward Thinking is a progressive programme of activities for students from Year 8 through to Year 11 who are currently attending a Forward Thinking partner school.This programme is only available for eligible students at Outreach schools and colleges in the West Midlands.
The programme is designed to offer students an insight into higher education and professional career routes, along with opportunities for skills building and self-development. Applications to Forward Thinking are by invitation only.
Benefits of taking part in Forward Thinking
By taking part in Forward Thinking, students will be able to:
- Explore our campus and meet current staff and students
- Better understand what university is about
- Explore a range of university subjects
- Make informed choices about their future and what to do when they leave school
- Meet and work with students from different schools
- Receive one-to-one mentoring support from a university student
What Forward Thinking involves
During the program, participants will take part in various activities on campus. They'll also get personal mentoring from undergraduates while in school and be able to use specialised materials for information and advice that help with the program.
Forward Thinking consists of an event or interaction each year of the programme. To successfully complete the programme, students must attend these events and complete a questionnaire at the start and end of the programme. The events are:
- Year 8 – Launch event
- Year 9 – Subject taster day
- Year 9 – University experience day
- Year 10 – Mentoring (takes place in school over 10-12 weeks)
- Year 11 – Celebration event
The programme is targeted at students who are capable and have been recognized by their school as having the potential to think about going to university in the future, but come from groups which are currently underrepresented within higher education.
Students must be studying at a Forward Thinking School and be in Year 8 at the time of application. Students must meet specific widening participation criteria to be eligible to apply. For further information, please contact us at forwardthinking@contacts.bham.ac.uk.