Bus tour of schools to highlight higher education options to students begins

28th April 2016

A three-month tour of more than 40 schools, colleges and community centres across the region has kicked off this week involving Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield and Further Education Colleges.

The HEPP&CO Outreach Bus will be on the road travelling to schools throughout the Sheffield city region delivering inspirational and engaging activities to highlight the vast array of opportunities available in higher education to young people. HEPP&CO is collaboration between universities and colleges funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and is part of the Higher Education Progression Partnership, which has been working with schools in the region since 2012. The tour is supported by Sheffield Hallam, the University of Sheffield and six local colleges: Doncaster, University Campus Barnsley, Dearne Valley, Chesterfield, Rotherham and Sheffield. The tour, which started at Barnsley College, is running until mid-July, and will provide impartial and independent advice and information to students in years 9 - 12 about higher education. Alex Bairstow, HEPP&CO programme co-ordinator based at Hallam University, said, "Our custom bus allows us to invite students to participate in different activities themed around helping them to understand their options after school or college, raising their horizons and ensuring they know what they can do now to prepare for their future. "We want to show young people the vast range of opportunities they have, locally and nationally, and ensure that they are considering their futures now." For more information, including a list of schools being visited, please visit www.heppco.org.