CPD
Upcoming CPD Opportunities
Wednesday 21 January: How to Develop Your Personal Brand, 6.30–7.30pm, Online
Go Higher West Yorkshire and My Great First Job are delighted to offer this free webinar for learners in Years 11–13, as well as their parents and carers.
This session is a great opportunity for schools, colleges, teachers and advisers to share with learners and families. It supports learners to understand what a personal brand is and how it can help when applying for further study, training, or employment.
Learners taking part will gain practical guidance to:
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strengthen their CV and UCAS personal statement
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identify and talk about their skills, strengths and experiences
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develop confident and effective answers to interview questions
The session is ideal for learners who are thinking about their next steps and want support presenting themselves clearly and positively.
Tuesday 3 February: All about STEM, Opportunities for Learners and HE Progression Routes, 3.00-4.30pm
Raise your awareness of free opportunities and course information in this exciting and rewarding growth sectorWould you like to know more about how you can support learners into STEM careers?
GHWY will expand on the Labour Market Information picture for our region and signpost to resources, Cara Lee, Education Outreach Officer (STEM) University of Leeds will guide us through STEM course and outreach information, and we will hear the experiences of a current University of Bradford STEM student.
In the session
- We share up to date Labour Market Information
- HE providers share a wide range of progression pathways to improve your knowledge
- Hear the perspective of a current University of Bradford Student
- We spotlight resources to use on your careers or teaching programmes
- Share opportunities to network with contacts
Who is this session for? Subject teachers (such as Maths, D and T, Science), careers advisors and any professionals supporting young people on their next steps.
Register for our free webinar: All about STEM, Opportunities for Learners and HE Progression Routes
Tuesday 10 February: Student Finance Updates and Insights, 3.00-4.30pm
Join Go Higher West Yorkshire and the Student Loans Company (SLC) for an essential update session designed to help you confidently support learners on their higher education journey. With the Post-16 White Paper confirming key changes to the student finance system, Sammie Hutchinson (Funding Information Services Account Manager, SLC) will walk you through what’s new and what it means for your students.
What this session will cover
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Latest HE student finance updates for 2026/27 entrants
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Early insights into 2027/28 student finance, including the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
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Key policy developments affecting higher education funding
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Regional data and insights on student finance trends
Who is this session for?
Anyone supporting or advising learners on progression to higher education — including school and college staff, careers advisers, HE outreach and admissions teams, as well as third-sector and youth practitioners.
Register for our free webinar: Student Finance Updates and Insights
Wednesday 11 March: All about Health and Social Care, Opportunities and HE Progression Routes, 3.00-4.30pm
Raise your awareness of free opportunities and course information in this rewarding and varied key sectorWould you like to know more about how you can support learners into Health and Social careers?
Join GHWY, HE providers, employers and HE students to explore exciting opportunities for learners to develop health and social skills and knowledge and to hear more about the routes into a variety of careers.
In the session
- We share up to date Labour Market Information
- HE providers share a wide range of progression pathways to improve your knowledge
- Hear the perspective of a current University of Bradford Student
- We spotlight resources to use on your careers or teaching programmes
- Share opportunities to network with contacts
Who is this session for? Subject teachers (such as Science, Health and Social, Psychology, Sociology, Maths), careers advisors and any professionals supporting young people on their next steps.
Care to Go Higher
Care to Go Higher Taster - Book your free 30-minute taster session
Go Higher West Yorkshire are also offering free 30-minute taster sessions that will give attendees an insight into the course whilst also giving them practical information and resources they can take forwards.
Get in touch below to book your taster session.
Care to Go Higher – Registrations now open for 2026
As a partnership of West Yorkshire Higher Education (HE) providers, we have a shared responsibility to help care leavers reach their potential through economic and educational progress. To address the challenges young people face when leaving the care system, our Care to Go Higher CPD-certified programme gives the key influencers of care-experienced young people the tools they need to support informed decision making in relation to HE.
Care professionals will attend sessions that include information about HE, resources, activities and guest speakers. This will enable them to be more informed about the interaction of care-experience and HE, which they can share with those for whom they are providing care.
Upcoming Conferences
Friday 10th July: GHWY Teachers’ and Advisers’ Conference - Leeds College of Building
The conference is open to anyone who supports young people to make informed decisions about their future, including teachers, careers professionals, local authority staff, youth workers, and other key influencers.
Register your interest to receive alerts when full registration opens, and when the agenda and speakers are confirmed for 2026.
Find out more and register your interest
CPD Newsletter
Join our ‘CPD’ mailing list and stay up to date with the latest opportunities.
Catch-up on what you missed
You will need to register a free account as a Teacher/Advisor to access these courses. If you have any difficulties please get in touch.
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HE Careers Advice for Post-16 Learners - Sharing Best Practice
Go Higher West Yorkshire recently hosted a CPD session for teachers, advisers and outreach staff on strengthening careers guidance for post-16 learners. The webinar shared key findings from the HE Careers Coaching Impact Report and showcased practical, inclusive approaches from Roundhay Sixth Form, all aligned with DfE guidance and the Gatsby Benchmarks.
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The Diversity of HE Types in West Yorkshire
Discover the diverse range of higher education opportunities in West Yorkshire. This webinar introduces HE in FE, conservatoires, and higher or degree apprenticeships, showcasing how different providers support varied learner needs and career goals. Gain practical insight to help you guide students towards the right higher education pathway.
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Spotlight on Access to HE and Foundation Year Courses
This webinar, aimed at teachers, advisers, and professionals supporting 18+ or mature learners, explored Access to HE and Foundation Year courses as valuable progression routes into higher education—covering benefits, how to apply, funding, and practical resources.
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Understanding the UCAS Clearing Process (2025)
Join Caroline Priestley (University of Bradford) for this informative session covering how to prepare for Clearing, what to do if learners over- or under-achieve, and key next steps.
Ideal for careers professionals, educators, and parents/carers guiding young people or mature learners into higher education.
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UCAS Fair Access Programme Updates
This UCAS Fair Access CPD webinar shares 2026 cycle updates, key data insights on underrepresented learners, and practical tools to support early engagement and informed applications. Aimed at educators and advisors, it offers clear guidance to help ensure fair access for all students.
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Supporting Disabled Learners on their Higher Education Journey
This CPD session helps teachers and advisors support disabled learners transitioning to higher education. It covers accessing support, understanding DSA, key differences between school and university, and introduces practical resources including the Disabled Learners Transition Pack and staff e-learning.
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‘Think and Go Higher’ programme: evidence briefing for strategic leaders
This strategic webinar, held on 2nd April 2025, shared key findings from Go Higher West Yorkshire’s new evidence report Think and Go Higher 2023/24. Aimed at HE leaders, school and college decision-makers, policymakers, and evaluation professionals, the session explored the impact of GHWY’s metacognition programme on learner outcomes and inequalities.
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Student Finance Updates for 2025 Higher Education entrants
Go Higher West Yorkshire, in collaboration with the Student Loans Company, recently hosted an online CPD session aimed at teachers, advisers, and practitioners supporting learners on their higher education journey.
Sammie Hutchinson, Funding Information Services Account Manager at the Student Loans Company, delivered a comprehensive update on student finance for 2025 HE entrants—essential for anyone advising KS5 learners on how to apply for student finance.
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Changes to UCAS Personal Statements (academic year 25-26)
Go Higher West Yorkshire, in collaboration with Advancing Access, hosted a CPD session on the recent personal statement reform, outlining the new process and offering expert guidance. Jennifer Barton, Student Recruitment Manager at Durham University, shared insights on supporting students through these changes. This webinar recording is ideal for professionals assisting post-16 learners with higher education applications in the UK.
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Supporting Care Experienced Learners on their Higher Education Journey
GHWY hosted a free CPD session on supporting Care Experienced learners in Higher Education. In collaboration with Inspiring Choices, we explored key challenges, collaborative approaches, and vital resources, including the Care Experienced Learners Transition Pack. Guest speakers shared insights and introduced the Destinations Festival, an exciting outreach opportunity for 2025.
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Creating Successful Outreach Projects for Males on Free School Meals
This webinar, hosted by Go Higher West Yorkshire Uni Connect, explored strategies for creating impactful outreach projects targeting males on free school meals (FSM). The session featured Andy Griffith, an educational consultant and co-author of The Working Classroom, who shared insights on social mobility, engagement techniques, and best practices in outreach programmes.
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Post 16 Qualifications Landscape
Boost your confidence in supporting young people with our free self-paced CPD webinar on the evolving post-16 qualifications landscape, including T Levels, BTECs, and key updates.
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E-learning for HE staff to understand and support disabled students
An online course that will provide you with knowledge, understanding and confidence to empower you to support disabled students in Higher Education (HE).
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Exploring Career Opportunities in Professional Services for Young People
Delivered in collaboration with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, this Webinar provides an overview of the Professional Services sector.Joined by Lloyds, KPMG and Gordons LLP, these employers highlight key progression options and routes at post 16 and 18, as well as career paths and what employers are looking for in the sector. -
Understanding Careers in Digital & IT
Delivered in collaboration with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, this Webinar will provide an overview of the Digital and IT sector; highlighting key progression options and routes at post 16 and 18, as well as career paths and what employers are looking for in the sector.
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GHWY Attainment Raising Programme: Successful delivery in the classroom (30 Jan 2024)
This webinar is for teachers and practitioners who would like to know more about the Go Higher Attainment Raising programme and how they can deliver it in their own school. We provide an overview of the 6 session programme, key activities and lessons learnt to help inform your delivery of these resources.
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Introduction to GHWY/WYCA Resources (Monday 22nd January 2024)
In this webinar we welcome teachers and practitioners who want to learn more about the range of resources on offer through WYCA Future Goals platform and Go Higher West Yorkshire.
These two organisations offer a wide range of free activities and resources for secondary schools and colleges, and this session is an opportunity to explore some of these in depth.
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Harnessing lived experiences and stories to empower marginalised voices (Thursday 11th January 2024)
In this Webinar, Syra Shakir, an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching at Leeds Trinity University reflects on a student & staff co-creation project which used storytelling as a decolonized pedagogy to educate high school GCSE age young people on the 1947 Partition of India.
Join us in redefining education for a brighter, more inclusive future!
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Alternative Routes into Healthcare - 16 Nov 2023
This CPD session brings together three of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s member institutions. The University of Bradford, University of Leeds and University of Huddersfield present on a range of their healthcare courses, offering an insight into suggested routes for learners who may not be progressing onto medicine or dentistry. This session is useful for any teachers or practitioners who want to develop their knowledge on different healthcare courses and support young people into a variety of routes in this sector.
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GHWY Attainment Raising Dissemination
The Uni Connect programme based in West Yorkshire piloted an attainment raising programme in five schools across the academic year 2022-23. In this session the team share their overview of the programme as well as the key outcomes.
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Personal Statements with Advancing Access (Oct 2023)
This session will enable teachers and advisers to effectively support students with the UCAS personal statement writing process.
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Medicine and Dentistry Routes & Alternative Routes - Oct 2023
In this session, we’ll be joined by Mark Patterson, Educational Engagement Lead Officer at the University of Leeds, who will give an update on changes to the admissions landscape across the sector, as well as sharing some useful hints and tips for supporting your aspiring Medics and Dentists to successfully apply to HE this year.
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Preparing learners to access careers support in Higher Education
This online CPD session is designed for career and guidance professionals, offering crucial information about Careers support for learners transitioning to Higher Education. It provides an overview of available resources from first-year to post-graduation, including special assistance for underrepresented groups.
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Understanding and Supporting Care Experienced/Estranged Students
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge, understanding and confidence that will empower you to support care experienced young people and estranged students in Higher Education (HE). The course may also be of interest to staff that work in counselling, careers or marketing in HE so they can better communicate with and/or provide support for these students.
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Supporting Disabled Learners (25th May 2023)
This session is aimed at practitioners who support and work with learners with a disability or additional needs.
Please join us for an inspirational session focusing on increasing the confidence of students who may have additional needs when progressing into further/higher education and employment.
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How to use and communicate Labour Market Information within schools: a focus on LMI and LMI education, within West Yorkshire
With a focus on LMI and LMI education within West Yorkshire, this session is aimed at teachers and careers advisors who are involved in designing and delivering careers education, advice and guidance to young people aged 11-18.
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Spotlight on Creative Arts and Industries’ session 4: Employers Perspective- Hear Straight from the Creative Sector
In our Employer focused session, we are joined by two professionals within the creative industry to explore different careers within the sector.
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‘Spotlight on Creative Arts and Industries’ Session 3: Overview of Higher Education Opportunities
Designed for teachers and advisors, this session will provide an overview of Higher Education courses and opportunities within the creative arts. We will be joined by two local universities within West Yorkshire, the University of Bradford and University Centre Leeds; to hear from a range of creative arts courses and discuss the opportunities and benefits available to learners at this level.
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'Spotlight on Creative Arts and Industries' session 2: Overview of Level 3 Opportunities
Designed for teachers and advisors, this session will provide an overview of Level 3 courses designed to help young people to enter the creative arts. We will have speakers from a range of institutions focusing on creative apprenticeships, T levels, and BTECs- as well as highlighting work opportunities and experiences open to learners whilst on these courses.
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'Spotlight on Creative Arts and Industries' session 1: Introduction and Overview of the Creative Industries
This session is the first of four sessions designed to provide teachers and advisors with up-to-date information and the knowledge to advise on post 16 pathways and opportunities within the creative arts.
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Understanding the lived experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students
A CPD session aimed at teachers, careers advisors and higher education staff. Funded through Go Higher West Yorkshire Uni Connect Programme and delivered by Shames Maskeen, Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, Leeds Trinity University.
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GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Preparing students for additional admissions tests and interviews
This training session will help develop your knowledge and ability to prepare students for upcoming HE interviews and additional tests.
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GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Exploring Apprenticeships (02/02/23)
This training session will help develop your knowledge and ability to advise on the current apprenticeship process and opportunities.
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GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Supporting Students to Make Choices at 18 (16.01.23)
This session will focus on helping teachers and advisers to support students to make higher education choices. Participants will be encouraged to consider the best support for students deciding on a suitable degree subject, by thinking about career ambitions or pursuing areas of academic interest.
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GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Disabled Learners Transition Pack Launch (17.11.22)
Find out more about the GHWY Disabled Learner Transition Pack to support learners with additional requirements and support.
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GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Basic Social Media Training - Jul 2022
Learn about different types of social media platforms and understand the latest trends.
