Higher Horizons, a government-funded scheme that uses innovative outreach sessions to encourage young people to progress to higher education, has secured funds to extend the programme until August 2021.

The programme launched in January 2017 and is led by Keele University, and has engaged over 30,000 13 to19-year-olds in its activities across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire. These activities build upon existing university outreach work taking place, aiming to raise aspirations and create routes into university, apprenticeships and other higher education level study. The delivery teams based at the universities of Keele, Staffordshire, Harper Adams and Chester have delivered over 1,600 activities across 114 schools and colleges since its launch.

Head of Higher Horizons, Ant Sutcliffe, said: “I am thrilled that we can continue this work for another two years as we start to show the real impact of what we're doing. Our aim is to provide a platform for every young person in our region to make a well informed decision about further and higher education. The young people in our region are the most creative and talented in the country, and we are there to support them on their way.”

Chair of Higher Horizons and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University, Professor Mark Ormerod, said: “The greatest thing about Higher Horizons is the impact that we are having. Since the launch of the programme, we have seen a clear rise in the number of young people from the most under-represented groups within higher education applying and enrolling onto university-level courses, including here at Keele.”

The extension of the programme will also see the launch of a new Outreach Hub for Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire which aims to encourage greater collaboration between universities, colleges, schools and businesses from across the region, establishing a more joined-up approach around education and employment.

Anyone can contact the Higher Horizons team, including young people or parents who have any questions about education, either via the website at higherhorizons.co.uk/ask or via email at ncop@keele.ac.uk.