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Information for schools and colleges

Find out more about the ways we can support you in inspiring and preparing your pupils for university life and beyond, via outreach events, useful resources and more.

Get in touch

Here at the University of Sunderland, our outreach in schools and colleges aims to offer both pupils and teachers access to a wide range of events, activities and helpful resources, tailored to different needs.

We provide a variety of pre and post-16 activities and events, designed to support pupils from all backgrounds, raise aspirations and give them the information they need to make clear choices about their future.

Our team have considerable experience in higher education and are all passionate about delivering engaging and inspiring activities to pupils, as well as offering encouragement towards their journey into university.

"The students got so much out of the day and we really appreciated the time, energy and enthusiasm from the staff and student ambassadors! We'll be sure to continue to push Sunderland as an excellent choice of university to our students."

Hartlepool Sixth Form

"I was blown away with the equipment the University had. Students were able to get hands on throughout their taster session, which they loved. I will definitely be looking to bring next year's cohort."

St Wilfrid's RC College

Who we are

Ashleigh Little

Head of Post-16 Outreach and Recruitment Events

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I am the Head of Post-16 Outreach and Recruitment Events. I have 10 years experience working within higher education and I lead the post 16 team in delivering off and on campus events to prospective students and promoting the University in regional and national areas across the UK, including our First Choice Progression Scheme. Our aim is to inspire students across the country into applying to the University of Sunderland.

Carole Green

UK Student Recruitment and Partnerships Manager

Hi, I am Carole and I manage our Home Student Recruitment and Partnerships outreach teams. I also manage the financial and contractual aspects of the partnerships we have with FE colleges as well as working with other educational institutions across the North East and across the UK. I have worked at the University since 2007 but have worked in community educational institutions for most of my career, and I am passionate about helping to make education and particularly HE accessible to all.

Paul Jameson

Student Recruitment Officer

Hi, I’m Paul and I coordinate student recruitment activity for schools and colleges outside of the North East region. I am passionate about providing guidance to adults as well as younger sixth form and college students about their options in higher education. I have over 14 years' experience of working in education and enjoy building links with local schools and colleges to help support and raise the aspirations of their students.

Scott Henderson

Student Recruitment Officer

Hi, my name is Scott and I coordinate our First Choice Progression Scheme. I’ll be in touch throughout the year about the great range of events and activities we can offer you and your students. I didn’t access university via the ‘traditional route’ so I strive to support everyone to access university at any age.

Louise Harris

Student Ambassador Coordinator

Hi, I’m Louise and I work in the Access to HE team. Having studied at the University myself I am keen to share my experience with others. In my role, I coordinate the Student Ambassador Scheme and also help to plan outreach activities for Secondary School pupils.

Nicola Hopper

Student Recruitment Officer

Hi, I’m Nicola and I manage the student recruitment activity for schools and colleges in the North East Region. I’ve worked with applicants and students at the University of Sunderland for over 12 years and enjoy helping students achieve their aspirations.

Caroline Finnon

Student Recruitment Officer

Hi, I’m Caroline and I manage the relationships, recruitment and outreach activity with our 5 partner FE colleges. I have provided support and outreach activity at the University for over 18 years and it has been so rewarding to see students achieve their goals during this time.

Stu Adamkiewicz

Student Recruitment Coordinator

Hi, my name is Stu and I am responsible for the coordination and implementation of outreach events to specific FE institutions in the North East region and developing the evaluative processes in partnership with the Student Recruitment Officer.

Samantha Hesslewood

Student Recruitment Assistant

Hi, I’m Sammi, and I work with our First Choice students, supporting them to engage and encouraging them to complete the First Choice progression scheme. As a graduate and former student ambassador from the University of Sunderland, I love to share my experience with students to help them with their own journey.

Jane Trattles

Student Recruitment Assistant

Hi, I’m Jane and I work with our First Choice students – supporting them to engage and encouraging them to complete the First Choice progression scheme. I am a graduate of the University of Sunderland and a previous ambassador, and I want to share my experiences with students looking to study here as I believe everyone should have access to higher education.

Kelly Stanley

Student Recruitment Assistant

Hello, I'm Kelly and I support Nicola in our Student Recruitment team. I'm responsible for engaging with local schools and colleges across the North East to raise aspirations and encourage applications to the University. I also support the wider recruitment team with outreach, open days, and events.

Abbie Oliver

Student Recruitment Admin Assistant

Hello, my name is Abbie and I provide a range of essential administrative support to the student recruitment team, stakeholders, and FE institutions.

Lauren Dixon

Student Recruitment Assistant

Hi, I’m Lauren and I am a graduate of the University. I graduated in 2021 with a Business and Marketing degree and then spent a year as an intern in the University's Widening Access and Participation team. I now work with the Student Recruitment team carrying out student recruitment outreach and on-campus activity in the North East region and beyond.

Alan Cook

Scholarships and Bursaries Officer

Hi, I’m Alan, and I'm the Scholarships and Bursaries Officer. I'm responsible for coordinating the planning, promotion, and reporting of the University’s scholarship and bursary offer. I was the first person in my family to enter higher education and using my knowledge and experiences, I aim to inspire all to access higher education, no matter their background or personal circumstances.

Wendy Price

Head of Widening Access and Participation

Hi, I’m Wendy and I lead the pre-16 team to deliver targeted outreach provision for local primary and secondary schools. Encouraging participation of under-represented groups is an important part of my role including care experienced and estranged young people and other widening participation cohorts. I work with schools across the region to provide bespoke support which aims to inspire young people to progress to further and higher education.

Lauren Boffey

Widening Access and Participation Project Coordinator

Hi, my name is Lauren and I’m the Widening Access and Participation Project Coordinator. I have been supporting students in education for over 10 years and I am passionate about providing opportunities for young people to find out more about higher education. In my role I coordinate the bespoke support we offer to care experienced and estranged students, which starts from the very first point of enquiry and continues to graduation and beyond. I aim to inspire students from under-represented groups to consider higher education as a route.

Safeenah Hussain

Widening Access and Participation Assistant

Hi, my name is Safeenah, and I am an Assistant in the Widening Access and Participation team. Within my role, I aid the bespoke support offered to estranged and care-experienced students to ensure they get the best out of their higher education experience. My academic experience and personal interest in social inequality drives my passion for equal opportunity, particularly within education. As a care-experienced person myself, my personal experience encourages me to work towards making university accessible for everyone.

Katharine Reed

Widening Access and Participation Manager

Hi, I’m Katharine Reed and I’m the Widening Access and Participation Manager. I’ve been developing and delivering activities for young people to raise their aspirations and facilitate their transition into post-16 routes for over 20 years. Through my work, I aim to inspire young people to make informed choices about higher education and beyond.  

Carolyn Lithgo

Widening Access and Participation Officer

Hi, I’m Carolyn and I work within the pre-16 team coordinating access to higher education activities for primary and secondary schools. I oversee the development and delivery of sessions and events designed to increase participation of a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds. I also promote the University’s bursaries and scholarships offer.

Danny Homer

Widening Access and Participation Evaluation Officer

Hi, I’m Danny and I currently support the Home Student Recruitment team with all things Evaluation. I have a background in education and science and a love of data and spreadsheets and I’m currently working towards a PGCert in Access and Outreach. In my role I help to evaluate and report on the impact of our incredibly important work across a wide range of events and activities, helping the department better plan for successful events in the future while looking after all the service’s outreach data.

Amber Shinns

Widening Access and Participation Apprentice

Hi! I’m Amber and I am the Widening Access and Participation Apprentice. I support the team with administration, planning and delivering, in support of others gaining access to higher education.

Jessica Birch

Widening Access and Participation Assistant

Hi, my name is Jess, and I am a Widening Access and Participation Assistant. I was a student at the university, and during my time studying English and Creative Writing, I was also a student ambassador. I deliver bespoke outreach to pre-16 pupils to help them raise their aspirations and think about their possible routes to Higher Education. My role allows pupils to think about the benefits of university at a young age.

Matthew Simcox

Widening Access and Participation Assistant Graduate Intern

Hi, I’m Matthew, and I’m the Graduate Intern on the Widening Access and Participation Pre-16 Team. I help the team to create and deliver outreach sessions to primary and secondary learners to introduce opportunities and benefits of attending higher education. 

Laura Bell

STEMM Outreach Officer

Hi, I’m Laura and I am the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Medicine) Outreach Officer. I work in the Widening Access and Participation Team to promote pathways to Higher Education with a STEMM Focus. I also coordinate the university’s partnership with the Aldrin Family Foundation to deliver exciting and innovative space education to local schools. I have worked in higher education, with a focus on Widening Participation and schools outreach, for ten years.

"We have had a fantastic visit from the University of Sunderland where the children had the opportunity to programme Lego and practise coding and debugging exercises."

Springwell Village Primary School

 

"I could see our students 'grow' as if they were making the transition there and then from secondary to higher education. To see them sitting in a lecture theatre was a proud moment. Many students are still talking about their takeover day – it gave them a real incentive to get it right in Year 10."

Biddick Academy

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Get in touch

For schools, colleges, parents and carers:

Our team will be happy to advise you on the most appropriate sessions for your pupils, or work with you in creating a bespoke activity that will fit your needs. Please contact us at student.recruitment@sunderland.ac.uk to discuss further. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please complete our expression of interest form.

For pupils:

The friendly and knowledgeable helpline staff can offer advice and support on course information and application, accommodation, fees and scholarships, and many other university-related queries. Please contact us at student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3000.

Open for course enquiries: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Address: Student Recruitment, University of Sunderland, 5th Floor, Edinburgh Building, City Campus, Chester Road, Sunderland, SR1 3SD