CPD
Upcoming CPD Opportunities
Wednesday 25 November: Why self-reflection matters: tailored outreach for under-represented groups, 3.00-4.30pm
Hear findings, recommendations and qualitative methods from GHWY’s evaluation of tailored outreach for FSM boys and minoritised learners.
How can tailored outreach help underrepresented learners reflect on their strengths and next steps on their HE journey?
GHWY will soon publish impact reports on sustained outreach programmes at Uni Connect schools and colleges. The programmes are tailored to boys eligible for free school meals and to learners from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
Join members of the GHWY team as they share the context, findings and recommendations from the evaluation of these programmes, including the innovative qualitative methods used. You’ll also hear from the practitioners who lead the programmes about how they work in practice.
Speakers
Natalie Aldridge, Data, Evaluation and Impact Manager
Sophie Smith, Data, Evaluation and Impact Project Officer
Benefits of attending the session
- Understand the evaluation findings on self-reflection and other learner outcomes, and what they mean for practice
- Learn about qualitative evaluation methods you could adapt for your own work
- Hear practical lessons on tailoring outreach for groups underrepresented in HE
Who is this session for?
HE access and success practitioners, evaluators, youth workers, careers professionals, teachers and researchers interested in reducing inequalities.
Care to Go Higher
Care to Go Higher: register your interest for the next cohort
As a partnership of West Yorkshire Higher Education (HE) providers, we share a 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 CPD-certified Care to Go Higher programme gives the key influencers of care-experienced young people the tools they need to support informed decisions about HE.
Care professionals attend sessions that include information about HE, practical resources, activities and guest speakers. This helps them better understand how care experience and HE interact, so they can share that knowledge with the young people they support.
Our next cohort is coming soon. Register your interest to be among the first to hear when dates and booking open.
CPD Newsletter
Join our ‘CPD’ mailing list and stay up to date with the latest opportunities.
Access our eLearning courses
-
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).
-
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.
Catch-up on what you missed
View our previous CPD sessions as On Demand Webinars
-
Student Loans Company and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement
Get up to date with student finance and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement in this on-demand CPD session, delivered by the Student Loans Company. The session covers key changes including eligibility, tuition fee loans, maintenance support, modular study, previous study, residual entitlement, repayments, and where to find further guidance. It also includes a Q&A section with practical queries from attendees.
-
UCAS Fair Access Insights 2026
Explore national and local UCAS data on fair access, application trends, and underrepresented groups. This session covers disability disclosure, care leaver support, fee waivers, and free UCAS tools for students — plus GHWY resources including transition packs, staff e-learning, and the Care to Go Higher CPD programme.
-
All about Health and Social Care, Opportunities and HE Progression Routes
Explore progression routes into health and social care through regional labour market insight, higher education course information, careers in adult social work and care, and a student perspective on midwifery. This session also signposts useful resources, entry routes and financial support for learners.
-
Student Finance Updates 2026
Facilitated by Go Higher West Yorkshire with expert input from the Student Loans Company, this concise session covers 2026/27 student finance updates, early 2027/28 insights (including LLE), and regional trends to support confident learner guidance.
-
All about STEM, Opportunities for Learners and HE Progression Routes
An on-demand CPD webinar for teachers, advisers and outreach staff exploring STEM progression routes. Hear regional Labour Market insights, higher education pathways, student experience, and discover free resources and outreach opportunities to support learners into STEM.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
‘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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
‘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.
-
'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.
-
'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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
GHWY Uni Connect CPD: Basic Social Media Training - Jul 2022
Learn about different types of social media platforms and understand the latest trends.
