HE CAN

The HE CAN Project

The pilot programme of the HE CAN project contained 5 interventions that were delivered to 12 Year 8 students from Murray Park school. The boys were chosen by the school as underachieving in school, having too many ‘behaviour points’ as the school deemed, and meeting at least one WP criteria set out by the WP team. 10 of the boys completed the first year of the programme and will continue into Y9, with a further 5 interventions planned for next year. We are also starting the programme again with a new cohort of 12 Y8 boys in the next academic year. Murray Park will be the only school who are involved in the Project.  

5 sessions of the HE CAN project were delivered in year 1 of the pilot. Of the five, four were evaluated and are discussed below: 

Impact

Pre-programme evaluation indicated the below:  

• 81% of the boys said they DID NOT feel confident presenting in front of a classroom 
• 18% of the boys felt confident in fitting in at university
• 10% of the boys felt they had a good understanding of jobs they could do in the future 
• 10% of the boys were thinking of applying to university in the future 
• 10% of the boys felt they had a good understanding of the subjects available at university  

Experience day with Nursing

As part of the programme, students came on-site to attend a University Experience day. The day featured a variety of sessions that enabled the learners to understand more about higher education, the courses available, the non-academic aspects of university and debunking the myths surrounding males in healthcare.

The below graphics illustrate the attitudinal responses from learners who took part in the Experience Day. 

Attitudes towards Higher education

Number of students who Strongly Agree/Agree they are thinking about applying to University

Knowledge of higher education

Number of students who Strongly Agree/Agree they understand the benefits of higher education

Perception of Higher education

Number of students who Strongly Agree/Agree they would fit in at university

In conclusion, the Experience day was successful in increasing learners' self-confidence, positive attitudes towards higher education and significantly impacting their attitudes towards careers and the myths surrounding men in healthcare.  

Teacher feedback

• "Loved the session with Jake which I feel challenged preconceptions about particular careers and important points were raised about stereotypes."

Claire Moody – Pupil Premium Lead – Murray Park School 

•  "Jake talking about his journey from school into 6th form then going into an access course for Uni really helped the kids understand the different journeys to higher education."  

Tim Taylor – ACE Coordinator – Murray Park School 

• "Students took part in activities they've never experienced before so it was lovely to see their interaction and positive engagement with all sessions.  Learning about themselves and being more self-aware has been something I've seen they've learnt since the start of the programme.  It's great to see the group gel together and support each other through the activities and grow in confidence."

Tim Taylor – ACE Coordinator – Murray Park School  

Teachers were also asked to provide us with feedback on the year. These responses were provided by Tim Taylor at Murray Park:  

• "The students are more engaged with their thinking of post 16 post 18 options and next steps since the start of the programme. They are more open to talking about Higher Education."
• "So lovely to see the students grow in confidence with themselves and their peers. Great relationships built by Nathan and Matt which is great to see. Students seem much more confident in themselves and more self-aware." 
• "Students have had fewer negative points and less referrals to RESET room which is a positive."