Raising Aspirations in Secondary Education (RAISE)

Students enjoying subject taster lecture as part of the RAISE programme

The RAISE programme is a range of fun, interactive lectures, workshops and competitive quizzes for students in Years 7 to 11. They are designed to motivate and inspire students around particular subjects, and in the long term raise achievement at GCSE.

The programme is designed to support secondary school students by raising aspirations and breaking down perceived barriers to higher education. From interactive lectures to big quizzes, the events take place throughout the academic year and are free to attend for schools. Discover more about the different events below to find the perfect one for your students.

How to book onto an event

To book places for your school or to express your interest, please email Mohammed Ansar at m.ansar@bham.ac.uk. 

Please ensure you have relevant permissions from your senior leadership teams before booking these events, so schools on the waiting list do not miss out on the opportunity if we receive late cancellations.

Year 7/8 Christmas Science Lectures

These 50 minute lectures are designed to be fun and educational and all content will be relevant to the age group. Where possible, audience members can help with demonstrations and experiments. Schools can bring as many students to these as they wish. If places are available, schools can attend more than one lecture on the day but in the first instance, we would like schools to only book onto one lecture. Schools from further afield will be allowed to book onto more than one lecture due to the distance they have travelled.

Tuesday 14 December 2021

Science of the Commonwealth Games

Speaker: Professor Vikki Burns, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Time: 10.15am

The Pandemics of the past, present and future

Speaker: Dr Steve Hewitt, School of History and Cultures
Time: 12.00 noon

Am I an ape?

Speaker: Professor Jerry Pritchard, School of Biosciences
Time: 1.30pm

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Am I an ape?

Speaker: Professor Jerry Pritchard, School of Biosciences
Time: 10.15am

Sports physiotherapy

Speaker: Katie Cronin, Department of Physiotherapy/School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Time: 12.00 noon

When Psychology goes wrong

Speaker: Dr Jon Catling, School of Psychology
Time: 1.30pm

Thursday 16 December 2021

The Pandemics of the past, present and future

Speaker: Dr Steve Hewitt, Department of History and Cultures
Time: 10.15am

Sports physiotherapy

Speaker: Katie Cronin, Department of Physiotherapy/School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Time: 12.00 noon

Science of the Commonwealth Games

Speaker: Professor Vikki Burns, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Time: 1.30pm

Year 8 CommonHealth Big Quiz

Date: 11 May 2022 
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

Schools compete to win prizes, trophies and medals with each round of the quiz, focusing on a different area of the topic. This quiz is designed for students who might be interested in healthcare careers. Schools can enter up to 6 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).

Year 8 Commonwealth Games Big Quiz

Date: 27 June 2022
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

To celebrate the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, this quiz will be based on the Commonwealth with different rounds focusing on different aspects of the Commonwealth from sports and history, to culture and politics. Schools can enter up to 6 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).

Year 9 Physics Big Quiz

Date: 4 February 2022
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

Schools compete to win prizes, trophies and medals with each round of the quiz, focusing on a different area of Physics. Each school can enter up to 4 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).

Year 9 History Big Quiz

Date: 15 June 2022
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

Schools compete to win prizes, trophies and medals with each round of the quiz, focusing on a different area of History. Each school can enter up to 6 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).

Year 9 Commonwealth Aspiration Day

Date: 1 July 2022 
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

In celebration of the Commonwealth Games, students will have the opportunity to attend keynote lectures and small group sessions throughout the day all with a focus on everything Commonwealth from History to Sports Science. Each school can enter a maximum of 25 students.

Year 10 Maths Big Quiz

Date: 9 March 2022
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

Schools compete to win prizes, trophies and medals with each round of the quiz, focusing on a different area of Maths. Each school can enter up to 4 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).

Year 10 Biology Big Quiz

Date: 30 March 2022
Time: 9.45am - 2.30pm

Schools compete to win prizes, trophies and medals with each round of the quiz, focusing on a different area of Biology. Each school can enter up to 4 teams (a maximum of 4 students per team).