The Aspire to Aston programme offers a range of workshops and activities for Year 9 to Year 11 pupils. Over three years, these workshops aim to increase pre-16 GCSE attainment grades and develop participating pupils’ academic soft skills, to support them in their academic and professional journeys.
This programme is closed for enrolment for the 2024/25 academic year. Applications will open for interested schools in September 2025.
During the three-year programme, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to take part in various enrichment activities to help support their journeys into Higher Education. Activities include subject specific taster sessions, 5-week academic tutoring in English or Maths delivered by current Aston University students, study skills and revision sessions and Summer School Residential.
These sustained programmes of activity aim to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provide them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their chance of achieving good GCSE grades. The programme also aims to increase pupils’ knowledge of HE, to normalise the idea of going to HE and to encourage pupils to start thinking about their future goals.
During their time on the programme, students will be exposed to a range of leading experts from Aston University. Students will also get the opportunity to meet current Aston University students and ask them about their Higher Education experiences to help them make informed decisions about their futures.