This meeting was a strategic leaders’ briefing to present findings from the 2023–2024 evaluation of the ‘Think and Go Higher’ programme, part of the Uni Connect programme delivered by Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY).

Key points included:

• Overview of the Uni Connect programme, which aims to reduce inequalities in higher education access by supporting underrepresented learners and raising attainment through targeted outreach.
• The ‘Think and Go Higher’ programme focuses on improving learners’ cognitive and communication skills using a metacognition-based approach. It includes about 9 hours of delivery over six sessions, with eligible learners in Years 8–10.
• Evaluation findings (from surveys, interviews, and focus groups) show significant improvement in metacognitive and communication skills among learners after completing the programme.
• Impact was strongest among older students (especially Year 10), showing the programme is more effective as learners approach GCSEs.
• Ethnicity-based differences emerged: learners from white backgrounds showed greater distance-travelled gains in skills, prompting a recommendation to investigate this further.
• Campus visits proved inspirational, boosting learners’ academic motivation and linking aspirations with effort at school.
• Repeated participation in the programme (across multiple years) appeared beneficial in reinforcing learning.
• Participants showed improved self-awareness, collaboration, and empathy through interactive, teamwork-based sessions.

The team highlighted alignment with current policy priorities (e.g. OFS focus on raising attainment, Skills England, and curriculum reforms) and proposed further collaboration between schools and HE providers to embed these skills more deeply.

A full evaluation report is available on the GHWY website.

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