Archway Links to Higher Education
We have developed links with a range of universities, giving our students the experiences and skills to reach their aspirations. These include:
We have close links with the University of Bristol and many Year 12 and Year 13 students participate in the Access to Bristol and Pathways to Health Science programmes. On average, 10 students from Archway School Sixth Form take part every year. We are a University of Bristol Aspiring School. All students attending our Sixth Form can get up to a two-grade reduction on course entry requirements.
Students attend a series of sessions on Wednesday afternoons during the autumn or spring term. The sessions give an idea of what it is like to study at the University of Bristol, working with academics and current students who can offer advice and guidance about higher education and their subject area.
In addition to Access to Bristol, students have also had the opportunity to take part in other activities at the University, such as Taster Days and Options Conferences.
Taking part shows a commitment to further study that strengthens university applications. Students who successfully complete the programme are guaranteed a contextual offer/interview from Bristol, a top-ten UK University (QS World University Rankings 2020).
Students can also participate in several different programmes at the University of Bath:
On Track to Bath:
On Track to Bath is a one-year, blended learning programme, which will support students to develop their independent learning, academic research and employability skills, and will help them to make an informed choice about future university courses. Students spend time on campus and undertake their own research project with the support of some of the university's academic staff and current students.
Pathway to Bath
Pathway to Bath is a flexible, online curriculum enrichment programme which gives students the chance to develop important key skills for university study by completing their own research project (or similar) while working alongside experienced university staff and current students. The programme includes a summer residential visit to their beautiful campus, to experience all that university life has to offer.
Discover Bath
A summer programme which aims to give students a taste of first-year life and study at Bath. The focus is on a 4-day summer school, where students will work on university level work and students will have some work to do before and afterwards to make the most of the experience.
University of Gloucestershire
Preparation for HE Day
Students will have a tour of the campus, speak to current students about life at university and get expert advice on university applications.
Sixth Form Open Day Visit
Each year all Year 12 students are given the opportunity to attend the University of Gloucestershire Open Day, so that they can get the feel of a university campus and find out more about the courses offered at a university, student finances, and life at university.
Personal Statement Masterclass
In June, the Outreach Team from the University of Gloucestershire run a Personal Statement Masterclass for our Year 12s, which gives students expert guidance on how to write a successful personal statement for their application to Higher Education.
Zero Gravity
A Digital platform that transforms mentoring sessions into university places. This programme has been shown to double students' chances of achieving a top university offer — and the grades to meet it — by connecting with a Zero Gravity mentor from a Russell Group university once a week.
