50 students who completed the Step Up to HE course are taking their learning to the next level.
Running since 2007, the Step Up to HE Course is an important stepping stone for students who want to return to education and develop the academic skills needed for university level study.
And armed with their University Foundation Certificate, students who complete the 10-week course typically progress to foundation or degree level study at the University.
Step Up Programme Manager Ashley Cotton said; “This year is no exception. Of the 53 students who completed the course, 49 will be staying with us and one will be heading to Keele.”
“The course is designed to develop academic writing, referencing research and critical thinking skills. However, a really big part of this is developing the confidence of each learner and working with them to achieve their potential.
“We find our learners come with the motivation, drive and commitment to be change-makers in their future professions and in our communities and it is our job give them chance to flourish and realise their future aspirations.”
Budding entrepreneur Callum Bolton, 21 from Werrington is among Step Up students eager to get started on his University course. He has enrolled on the BA (Hons) Business Management degree.
He said: "The Step Up team, they've been amazing. They’ve been the best teachers I've ever had and supportive all the way through.
“A few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that I’d be going to university but the Step Up course has brought that out of me and showed me what my value is. It's been great.”
Miah Ashman, 24, from Fegg Hayes has been working in the NHS but is about to begin a degree in Forensic Investigation.
She said: “Because I've gone around and done a lot of different job roles and worked in different companies, I have now figured out what I want to do. Now, I've come out of the care sector and am going into something that's completely out of my [comfort] range. But I'm looking forward to it.”
For Danielle Hughes, 41, from Cliffe Vale, the decision to apply to university was prompted by her transitioning in 2020. Danielle celebrated receiving her Gender Recognition Certificate this summer after overcoming numerous hurdles and is excited for her University experience.
She said: “Before I was shy and nervous and wouldn’t speak to anyone. I didn’t expect the personal growth that came with transitioning but I've done lots of media and social media about my experience and a lot of people responding to say how I’ve helped them.
“My job [as a screenprinter] was the old me and the Step Up to HE course has allowed me to think about how I can use my lived experience to help others although I didn’t know what that would look like.”
Danielle said her motivation to study on the BA (Hons) Education degree was so that she could help “children like me”.
She said: “It was amazing and I have loved every minute of being here. At school I was typically a grade C or D student but I’ve had two first class distinctions on the course and have earned the title Valedictorian for being the highest ranked student on the cohort.”
The Step Up to HE course runs three times over the course of the academic year, with intakes in September, January and April. Further information about the programme can be found on the course webpage, available at: Step Up to Higher Education - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)