GHWY celebrates success of Teachers’ and Adviser’s Conference
Over 60 people attended Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) ‘Working Together for Access and Success in Higher Education’: Teachers’ and Advisers’ Conference.
The collaborative event, which was held at the University of Bradford on 8 July, brought together professionals who support young people in their education journey – including teachers, advisers, and local authority staff – for insightful discussions, a student panel, and meaningful networking.
Delivered by GHWY’s diverse consortium of 13 Higher Education (HE) providers – which includes universities, HE-in-FE institutions, and a small specialist provider – the day explored the breadth of post-16 options. These include Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, apprenticeships and undergraduate degrees.
The day also featured a keynote address from Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Rhiannon Hannon (Director of Creative Engagement and Participation) and Andra Chelcea (Cultural Learning Manager) covered the work of the City of Culture’s team, drawing on their wealth of experience for leading arts participation in West Yorkshire.
In addition, there were a number of break-out sessions that explored ways in which to support young people to make informed decisions about HE. These included sessions on Clearing and direct applications, changes to UCAS Personal Statements and guidance on use of AI, and under-represented groups, such as supporting disabled students.
View the full programme for GHWY’s Teachers and Advisers conference.
Delegate feedback from the conference
The conference was well received by delegates. The student panel, which considered what they wished they had known about HE, drew particularly favourable responses.
One delegate said: “Everyone who presented were brilliantly engaging and super knowledgeable. The content of the sessions was relevant and useful. The timings, organisation and catering were fab!”
Another delegate said: “Good to see HE institutions working together.”
Background and next steps
The event followed the success of GHWY’s inaugural collaborative conference in 2024. It offered a unique opportunity to gain insights into HE pathways and the support mechanisms available through our consortium of 13 members.
Work has already started on planning for next year’s event, which will respond to attendee feedback to ensure it continues to meet their needs. Please register for our CPD newsletter to receive updates.
