• Programme to help teens from under-represented groups to pursue careers in medicine shortlisted for two awards 
• Steps2Medicine has supported around 100 young people across North Staffordshire to follow their dreams 
• The Educate North Awards will be held on April 27th 

Up for two awards

A programme which helps teenagers from under-represented groups to pursue careers in medicine has been shortlisted for two awards.

Steps2Medicine, which is run collaboratively by Higher Horizons, and the GSRA Outreach Team and the School of Medicine at Keele University, has supported around 100 aspiring medical students from a range of backgrounds across North Staffordshire since it was launched two years ago.

The free-of-charge programme, which is open to Year 12 students, aims to increase the numbers of successful applications to medical school from students in under-represented groups. Participants are taken through five key stages on the course, from learning about the role of a doctor, to a clinical placement in a GP practice and interview preparation. Students who successfully complete the programme are also invited to interview to study medicine at Keele and receive a reduced grade offer.

Now the programme has made the final in the Employer Engagement and Social Mobility categories at the Educate North Awards, which celebrate and recognise best practice in the education sector. 

A fantastic collaboration

Emma Baines, Higher Horizons Strategic Outreach coordinator, said: "Steps2Medicine has been a fantastic collaboration between Higher Horizons, Keele University and local GP practices, for enabling social mobility to what are some of the most selective and competitive university courses in existence.

"We have provided work experience in real-life medical professions, which usually requires high social capital that students from under-represented groups do not tend to have, giving them opportunities equivalent to those of their more advantaged peers.

"The programme is also helping to diversify the medical school student body, which has traditionally been from middle classes, to now include those from working class backgrounds."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 27th.