"We want students within our district to aim high, achieve their potential and be ready for rewarding careers in a fast-evolving job market.”
Braintree District Council announces the allocation of a £12,000 transportation grant to secondary schools across the district, giving students the exciting opportunity to visit the University of Essex.
The transportation grant enables pupils aged between 13 and 14 to participate in a tailored programme designed to give them direct experience of undergraduate life.
During the visit, students will spend time with university staff and student ambassadors and engage in active learning sessions as well as explore campus life.
The programme aims to inspire young people, broaden their horizons and support them in making informed decisions about the future.
Students from Hedingham School and Sixth Form had their visit to the University of Essex earlier this year.
Darren Batch, Careers Lead at Hedingham School and Sixth Form, said: “We’re delighted to have taken part in an initiative which has given our students an idea of what life might be like at university. Experiencing a higher educational setting firsthand raises aspirations and encourages students to think about the benefits and opportunities a degree can bring to their career and life chances.”
Councillor Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: "This grant demonstrates our commitment to investing in our young people and their futures. By giving students an insight into university life, we’re encouraging them to think about higher education and the options available to them in emerging sectors. We want students within our district to aim high, achieve their potential and be ready for rewarding careers in a fast-evolving job market.”
Samantha Pratt, Outreach Assistant at the University of Essex, said: “We have worked with Hedingham School and Sixth Form for a few years now on various projects. It is always lovely to have them on campus to show their students what it’s like here at the University of Essex. We hope that students left feeling inspired and knowledgeable about university and the pathways to get there.”
This initative reflects the Council’s broader ambition of improving educational attainment and ensuring local talent can thrive in a dynamic and skills-driven economy.