Information for schools and colleges
Find out more about the ways we can support schools and colleges in inspiring and preparing pupils for university life and beyond, via outreach events, useful resources and more.
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 has considerable experience in higher education and is passionate about delivering engaging and inspiring activities to pupils, as well as offering encouragement towards their journey into university.
- Post-16 events and activities Help students explore future careers, learn new skills and prepare for university
- Secondary schools Explore activities for students from Years 7-11
- Primary schools Explore activities for students from Years 5-6
- Teachers and advisers Stay informed with news, events and professional development opportunities
Why Sunderland?
- We're a Top 40 UK University (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- The University of Sunderland is recognised internationally as a leading university, receiving five stars for teaching, inclusiveness employability and facilities in the QS Stars World University Rankings 2023
- The University of Sunderland is one of the world's best young universities (Times Higher Education Young Universities Rankings 2023)
- We're 1st in the north-east for teaching quality and student experience (The Times Good University Guide 2025)
- We're 1st in the north-east for student satisfaction (The Complete University Guide 2024)
- We're ranked amongst the world's best universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
- We're University of the Year for student support (Daily Mail University Guide 2025)
University of Sunderland news stories
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Children boldly explore space, infinity and beyond
Primary school children in Sunderland will be delving into space thanks to a new partnership with the Aldrin Family Foundation.
Read more about the story
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University’s engineering star lands gold at national awards
A school pupil whose engineering talents were discovered at the University in Sunderland has gone on to win a top prize for her children’s hospital invention at a prestigious national award ceremony in London.
Read more about the story
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£1 million to transform children's access to arts
The University of Sunderland is part of a new £1m three-year programme to use arts and culture to help transform the lives of children and young people living in poverty in Sunderland which will launch next year.
Read more about the story
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“I didn’t know girls could be engineers!”
North-east schoolchildren experience the world of engineering at the University of Sunderland and meet the next generation driving the industry forward.
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Red carpet rolled out for children's film premiere as they get to 'feel like movie stars' for the night
Children from Fulwell Junior School got the red carpet treatment and "felt like movie stars" for the night after showcasing a big screen premiere of a production of their film at the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre.
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Excluded children at the heart of giant patchwork blanket
Stitch by stitch, a University of Sunderland academic wants to make a difference and provide a voice to an underserved section of society – children and young people who have been excluded from school.
Read more about the story
Who we are
Ashleigh Little
Head of Post-16 Outreach and Recruitment EventsHi, 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 to apply to the University of Sunderland.
Paul Jameson
Student Recruitment OfficerHi, 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 20 years of experience 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 OfficerHi, 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 pupils. 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 CoordinatorHi, I’m Louise, and I work in the Access to Higher Education team. Having studied at the University myself I'm 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.
Chris Harris
Student Recruitment ManagerHi, I’m Chris, the Student Recruitment Manager, looking after post-16 school and college liaison. I oversee our relationships with further education providers, ensuring we deliver high-quality and impactful interventions supporting university progression. I have over 10 years of experience working in all aspects of Student Recruitment, and I am passionate about promoting our excellent offer here at Sunderland, being a former student myself.
Caroline Finnon
Student Recruitment OfficerHi, I’m Caroline, and I manage the relationships, recruitment, and outreach activity with key institutions in the north-east. I have provided support and outreach activity at the University for over 20 years and it has been so rewarding to see students achieve their goals during this time.
Chloe Poole
Student Recruitment AssistantHello, I'm Chloe, and I support Caroline in our Student Recruitment team. I'm responsible for engaging with local schools and colleges across the north-east to raise aspirations of prospective students and encourage applications to the University. I also support the wider recruitment team with outreach, open days, and events.
Stu Adamkiewicz
Student Recruitment CoordinatorHi, my name is Stu, and I'm responsible for the coordination and implementation of outreach events to specific Further Education institutions in the North East region and developing the evaluative processes in partnership with the Student Recruitment Officer.
Samantha Greener
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, 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, I love to share my experience with students to help them with their own journey.
Jane Trattles
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, 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 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.
Brandon Lewis
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, I’m Brandon, and I work with our First Choice students – supporting them to engage and encouraging them to complete the First Choice progression scheme. I love to share my own experience of university to help students on their journey.
Kelly Stanley
Student Recruitment AssistantHello, 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.
Sara Playfor
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, I’m Sara, and I’m part of the First Choice Team. I support students on their path to higher education, ensuring they have a smooth transition into university life. My role involves delivering a variety of activities that help students develop key skills, gain a deeper understanding of university, and successfully complete the First Choice Scheme. By doing so, I help them unlock valuable benefits and pave the way for a successful university experience.
Darcy Whyatt
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, I'm Darcy, and I work closely with our First Choice students, supporting their engagement as they advance through our progression scheme. I'm passionate about creating opportunities, such as visits and tasters, to help students make informed choices about their future and ensure they are well-equipped for their transition to higher education.
Emma Haley
Student Recruitment AssistantHi, I’m Emma, and I’m part of the First Choice Team. I support students on their path to higher education, ensuring they have a smooth transition into university life. My role involves delivering a variety of activities that help students develop key skills, gain a deeper understanding of university, and successfully complete the First Choice Scheme. By doing so, I help them unlock valuable benefits and pave the way for a successful university experience.
Hannah Fernandez
Student Recruitment CoordinatorHi, I’m Hannah and I'm responsible for building and enhancing relationships with schools and colleges in key defined target areas across the UK. My current priority areas include Cumbria, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands. My responsibilities include developing and managing relationships that enable the University to widen its reach and engage more effectively with schools and colleges outside the north-east and organising bespoke student recruitment activity to meet their needs.
Abbie Oliver
Student Recruitment AssistantHello, my name is Abbie, and I provide a range of essential administrative support to the student recruitment team, stakeholders, and further education institutions.
Alan Cook
Scholarships and Bursaries OfficerHi, 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 it, no matter their background or personal circumstances.
Wendy Price
Head of Widening Access and ParticipationHi, 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.
Nicola Hopper
Widening Access and Participation Officer (We Care)Hi, I’m Nicola and I work primarily in the We Care Team overseeing support to a wide range of applicants and current students from underrepresented groups. I’ve worked in widening participation and student recruitment for the last 15 years and I am passionate about ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to access higher education.
Safeenah Hussain
Widening Access and Participation AssistantHi, my name is Safeenah and I'm an Assistant in the Widening Access and Participation team. I aid the bespoke support offered to estranged and care-experienced students to ensure they get the best out of higher education. My academic experience and personal interest in social inequality drive my passion for equal opportunity, particularly in 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 ManagerHi, I’m Katharine 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 OfficerHi, 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 scholarships and bursaries offer.
Danny Homer
Widening Access and Participation Evaluation OfficerHi, 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.
Jessica Birch
STEMM Outreach CoordinatorHi, I’m Jess, the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Medicine) Outreach Coordinator. 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.
Aimee Cook
Widening Access and Participation ApprenticeHi, I’m Aimee, and I’m the Widening Access and Participation Apprentice. I support the team with the administration, delivery, and planning of pre-16 outreach activities, interventions and the promotion of the institutional scholarship and bursary offer to increase participation of a wide range of pupils and applications from diverse backgrounds.
Louise Stewart-Cross
Uni Connect Project CoordinatorHello, I’m Louise and I’m the Uni Connect Project Coordinator. I coordinate events and projects that take place as part of the North East Uni Connect Programme such as a tutoring programme focused on English skills for Year 8 and a suite of masterclasses hosted across the region by HE and FE institutions. I also coordinate campus visits and the delivery of higher education ambassador sessions for Year 11-13 students more widely within our 108 target schools across the north-east.