Widening Participation partner school set for Palace ceremony

The school has been nominated for the ‘NEON School or College Widening Access Award’. The ceremony is held at the Palace of Westminster on 2 May.

The University of Brighton nominated Peacehaven Community School with reference to its outreach work with the university – including a range of WP engagement and the BAME mentoring scheme.

Students at PCS have attended 19 separate university WP activities this academic year including: Formula 24 Saturday Club, Chemistry Saturday Club, Style Fashion and Design Saturday Club, Year 7 to 9 campus visits, printmaking workshops and in-school higher education talks at parents’ evenings. Students have also played the University of Brighton’s board game.

Johanna Harris, Outreach Coordinator at the University of Brighton, has been leading the participation with PCS.

Peacehaven Community School

She said: “I am absolutely delighted that PCS have been shortlisted for this award. Having worked closely with the school for the last year and seen first-hand the dedication and commitment of the staff who work tirelessly to provide their pupils with a fantastic array of opportunities, the recognition of these efforts is well deserved. 

“I look forward to continuing our work together, raising the aspirations of their students, supporting them in their learning journeys and offering each and every one of them the chance to reach their full potential enabling them to thrive and succeed.”

The University of Brighton leads the BAME Uni: School mentoring programmes funded by the National Collaborative Outreach Programme and has just completed a programme with PCS, led by Mentoring Manager Beth Thomas-Hancock and retired head teacher John Lynch.

Eleven BAME students in year 9 and 10 have been mentored by BAME students from the University of Brighton. The PCS students reported an increase in confidence after the programme.

Of the programme, Beth said: “Providing BAME role models as mentors is a simple and effective way to inspire young people to be the best they can be. Students from the University of Brighton volunteer their time to mentor a BAME secondary school pupil. The BAME secondary school pupils volunteer to participate in the mentoring.

Josie Turner, Assistant Head Teacher (Teaching and Learning) at Peacehaven Community School, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for the 2019 NEON School or College Widening Access Award.

“Our close partnership with the University of Brighton has enabled a significant number of our students to make more informed choices about their futures. The nomination of this award is recognition of the strong links we have created. We look forward to continuing to work alongside our university partner.”

A widening participation activity at the University of Brighton