Staffordshire University and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have come together to collaborate their efforts in supporting learners back into education.

The University will be working closely with Adult Community Learning in the Local Authority headquarters, One Smithfield building in Hanley city centre to provide information, guidance and mentoring to members of the public who are looking to get back in to education. The university will also be offering tasters of what their free Step Up to Higher Education course has to offer to learners who are aiming for a degree level education.

Ashley Cotton, Step Up to HE Programme Manager said: “After working closely in the past, it is great to move forward with this exciting phase of development with the city council to support learners back in to education. It reaffirms our commitment to Stoke-on-Trent, that the University and the city council are working together to promote social mobility across the region”.

“Both the city council and the University are extremely excited to be offering educational opportunities in such a pivotal and central location for the city at the new One Smithfield development”.

Stacey Hargreaves, Senior Engagement Officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “This is a fantastic new partnership that we plan to develop going forward to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the residents of Stoke-on-Trent with their educational skillset for the future”.

From the university, Ashley Cotton will be on hand every Wednesday, 9:30-12pm to support members of the public who are considering to make the move back into education.

For additional information, please contact:

T: 01782 29400  E: stepup@staffs.ac.uk

• What motivated you to apply for Step Up?

“I wanted to make sure that I was making the right decision in returning to education. As the Step Up course is free to all, it has been a great confidence booster to ensure that I was doing the right thing without being thrown in at the deep end!”

• How did you feel on the first day?

“I felt incredibly nervous and even had sleepless nights running up to the day. I am glad I stuck at it and didn’t let my nerves get the best of me”.

• How did you find the teaching and support here at Staffordshire in comparison to past educational experiences?

“It is so so different! There is a mass of support available and being in an older learning environment has been hugely beneficial. Being treated like an adult and not feeling stupid if I need help has been a huge plus”.

• Is there anything you would have done differently looking back?

“No, not at all. I feel as though now is the right time for me to pursue a degree. I don’t think I would have stuck to university when I was younger”.

• Has Step Up helped you in anyway, if so, what?

“Step Up has helped me to develop my writing style for degree level study. It has also been a great developmental experience and highlighted where I need to improve for the future. Also, knowing the campus and the university has made me feel less intimidated for September”.

• What are your hopes and plans for the future?

“My hopes and plans for the future is to complete my degree successfully whilst enjoying the journey at the same time. Longer term I want to ensure that I have both a successful and fulfilling career in a role I love”.

For more details on how to apply for the next intake of Step Up to HE follow the link: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/stepup

• What motivated you to apply for Step Up?

“I wanted to apply for university as a mature student in order to gain a qualification, however I was uncertain of the process when doing this alone. I contacted the enquiries team at Staffordshire University and was invited to an open day where I met Ashley. I immediately felt at ease which gave me the confidence that university was a possibility. I then took the plunge and applied”.

• How did you feel on the first day?

“I walked away after the first day feeling as though I had discovered so much about myself as a person. It was nice to see so many faces with similar goals. This made me feel so much better and happier that I was not alone”.

• How did you find the teaching and support here at Staffordshire in comparison to past educational experiences?

“In the past I lacked attention, however the learning environment at university is so much different. The tutors are incredibly supportive and encourage active engagement; which has helped tremendously at keeping me motivated and my goal of degree study within reach”.

• Is there anything you would have done differently looking back?

“I wish I had known about the Step Up to HE course sooner. I wasted so much time pondering and worrying that I would not fit in at university. This cannot be further from the truth now and I have met some friends in the process”.

• Has Step Up helped you in anyway, if so, what?

“Step Up has given me a broad comprehension of what is required at degree level study. I am now able to think and write both critically and effectively whilst knowing how and where to research. In the process I have also discovered what support the university offers and also got to know my way around the campus before starting in September ”.

• What are your hopes and plans for the future?

“I have already submitted my UCAS application to study Journalism at Staffordshire and since received a conditional offer on the basis that I complete Step Up successfully. I am confident with the on-going support that I will be able to achieve the award and pursue my dream of becoming influential within the sphere of broadcast journalism in the future”.

For more details on how to apply for the next intake of Step Up to HE follow the link: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/stepup