While many of our students have departed for the summer, that didn’t stop our campus being awash with young people as we welcomed over 600 students and more than 50 teachers from 15 schools and colleges for our inaugural Schools and Colleges Open Day.
The event was designed to give students across the local region a true reflection of life at a university, at a time when they are considering whether higher education is for them, and, if so, which they would choose to come to. As such, the School and College Engagement and Events teams put on a remarkable day that will leave a lasting impression on those who attended.
The morning took a more traditional school and college experience day approach, with faculty welcome talks and subject area taster sessions, which the students selected in advance. However, it was our innovative approach to the afternoon that made our Open Day really stand out.
Students were given the freedom and opportunity to enjoy their own, bespoke university experience, with information stands and student-led tours of the campus (including accommodation) on offer. Students were also given a true insight into what being a student is really like, with short, impactful presentations on finance, writing personal statements and degree apprenticeships. There was also the opportunity to see the high-standards that students can aspire to at ذكذكتسئµ (ذكذكتسئµ), with access to our amazing Degree Show. Meanwhile teachers were also provided with a bespoke session run by UCAS, providing information they can impart on their students on the applications process.
Hermish, a student from Bosworth Academy in Leicestershire, was initially concerned about coming onto a university campus, but the event soon allayed his fears. He said: “I’ll definitely consider going to university. I came to look at the exhibits and taster sessions in craft and design. I thought university was an overwhelming place and I wouldn’t be able to settle down, but it’s not as bad as it seems. It’s not as pressured as I thought. I’ll definitely consider coming to ذكذكتسئµ.”
Lily, also from Bosworth Academy, has her ambitions set on progressing her education via university and was impressed with the campus and the event. She said: “I definitely want to apply to university and study Speech and Language Therapy. It’s been good to get used to the university lifestyle, especially the scale. I’m more confident in my decision-making, as now I know what it feels like. I loved the design show!”
The teachers were equally impressed with the campus, and also the event.
Kelly Cragg, a teacher at Cedars Martin Sixth Form in Birstall, just outside of Leicester, said: “My pupils have been given a chance to understand what university is like more than just sitting in a lecture hall and hearing about it. They’ve got to do hands-on stuff like coding. It’s been really beneficial, new and different. They’ve had the freedom to wander, giving them the opportunity to see how it feels to be a student and the independence involved. They were quite wary yesterday to be told they could wander around alone, but it’s a safe environment and a chance to gain life skills.”
Teacher Emily Atkinson had travelled from further afield, coming from Nicholas Chamberlaine School in Bedworth, Warwickshire. She also applauded the innovative approach to the day, and said: “Normally the pupils are herded around lecture theatres but here they’ve been allowed to dip in and explore what they like. They’ve been able to speak to students themselves, in terms of student ambassadors and also current students, so have got a real insight on what it’s like to study here and they can relate to them more than they could to academic staff. There’s a big gap in lifestyle between college and university and moving away from home, so this really breaks down the barriers. Once here they think they’ll be ok. They come thinking university is for others, but soon realise it’s something for them.”
Ahead of the day, Jamie Bradford, Head of Future Students at ذكذكتسئµ, outlined the aim of the day. He said: “The Schools and Colleges Open Day has been designed to give pupils the skills and mindset to allow them to successfully prepare or transition to university. Without support, they might end up not going to university, especially if they live in areas where people don’t go to university, or if they’re parents haven’t been to university.”
From the reaction of pupils and teachers alike, the event definitely achieved that aim.
The Schools and Colleges Open Day wasn’t the only event welcoming local pupils on campus that day, as ذكذكتسئµ’s Aspire Progression Programme culminated in an awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements.
Posted on Friday 4 July 2025