Overview
Overview
KAN aims to remove barriers to Higher Education by improving student:
Confidence Knowledge Agency
Our Core university access programme has been running since 2013 and we began our Aspire programme in 2021. These are unique four-year programmes, from Year 9 to Year 13. The current Kent Academies Network includes: Knole Academy, The Skinners’ Kent Academy, Leigh Academy Minster, The Marsh Academy, John Wallis Church of England Academy and St. George’ s Church of England School. Each year, teachers identify Year 9 students to begin the application and interview process and 15 students are selected for our Core cohort and up to 15 for the Aspire cohort. Students must meet certain eligibility criteria that are nationally recognised as barriers to higher education.
Every academic year the programmes entail:
• Termly online mentoring sessions
• Two meet-up days at Sevenoaks School
• The spring residential weekend at Sevenoaks School( Core cohorts only)
• Summer residential week at Sevenoaks School or a Cambridge college( Core cohorts only)
• A summer research project
• A graduation event for Year 13 students
• An alumni and mentor networking dinner at Sevenoaks School
Undergraduate mentors guide the students through the programme. The mentoring relationships and the peer-to-peer support network, fostered by the small size of the cohorts, are fundamental to KAN’ s success. Other resources we provide to all KAN students include:
• Access to an online mentoring platform
• Access to the Buffini Chao Discretionary Fund to cover the cost of university visits
To date, eleven awards have been made from the Buffini Chao Discretionary Fund. This was launched in 2020 and supports either student university visits or professional development for mentors.
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