Statement of Accounts 2020 / 21
Keele Students ’ Union has consistently been ranked for its high performance in the NSS . Along with the Teaching Excellence Framework Gold award , this highlights the breadth and quality of Keele ’ s educational provision and student experience , producing graduates who have subject expertise and the skill sets that they need to make a difference to society .
The Start to Success mental health partnership which was launched last year in collaboration with Staffordshire University and other regional partners , continues to go from strength to strength , and has supported a number of high-profile mental health campaigns and initiatives throughout the year . Among these were the Talk Suicide campaign , led by Staffordshire County Council , which aimed to raise awareness of the issue and how to help people experiencing crisis .
Widening Participation
As a University that was founded on the principles of widening participation , Keele has always placed great importance on supporting underrepresented groups , both pre and post entry . Keele is also the lead institution for Higher Horizons , one of the largest partnerships in the Governmentfunded Uni Connect Programme ( formerly the National Collaborative Outreach Programme , or NCOP ) and the leading provider of HE outreach in Cheshire , Shropshire and Staffordshire .
Keele oversees four outreach hubs at Keele and Staffordshire Universities ; the University of Chester ; and Harper Adams University , with over thirty members of staff dedicated to producing and delivering informative and impartial activities to schools and colleges across the region .
The academic year 2020 / 21 has been an unprecedented time due to the Covid-19 pandemic affecting how the Partnership can deliver its support services . Higher Horizons has adapted to how it works ensuring that whilst schools were closed or restricted , they were available to support teachers , parents , and young people . Higher Horizons launched their flagship ‘ IAG Core ’ Programme this year , a programme that could be delivered online or in person , by practitioner or by teacher , and over one day , a week or over several months ; giving learners the fundamentals they need to make informed decisions while at the same time giving schools the convenience and flexibility they need during a time of changing restrictions , bubbles , and short notice isolation . Attendance at parents ’ events has actually increased since they transferred online and the Partnership even managed to run virtual residentials .
Working with the local health authority , Keele was also able to help students receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before they broke up for the summer . Organised by the on-campus GP surgery in partnership with the University , the initiative meant students were able to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine earlier than they might have otherwise , and demonstrates Keele ’ s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of students and the wider community . Keele has expanded it courses on offer in 2021 including new courses in Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc , Chemistry MRes , and a new module in Law looking at the unique challenges that Covid-19 has presented to society , allowing students to benefit from the most up-to-date teaching in this rapidly evolving area of law and ethics . |
CHESHIRE
SHROPSHIRE
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STAFFORDSHIRE |
During the previous academic year Higher Horizons delivered almost 600 events and activities generating over 35,000 learner interactions with over 70 % of learners engaged coming from quintile 1 and 2 postcode areas , which are areas with the lowest rate of participation in higher education in the UK . |
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